The green belt, which only to be planted by plantations, now has changed form into tens of workshops on Jalan Raya Persahabatan Timur , Rawamangun Urban Village, Pulogadung Sub-District, East Jakarta. Ironically, the existence of those workshops also damaged the green belt guardrails, thus the cars to be serviced are stepping on the green belt.

They are charged for Rp 3 million per workshop, and someone collects the money. But, I don’t know whether the person from sub-district office or mayor’s office

Those workshops operate starting 8 AM until 5 PM. A resident, whose name refused to be mentioned, disclosed that the workshop owners pay Rp 3 million to certain unscrupulous officials.

“They are charged for Rp 3 million per workshop, and someone collects the money. But, I don’t know whether the person from sub-district office or mayor’s office,” he told, Monday (5/12).

Responding this matter, Head of East Jakarta Satpol PP City Facilities Section, Agus Sidik, admitted he has checked the location and discovered that the 200-meter green belt damaged due to knock vehicles welding and painting activities done by the workshops.

“This is clearly vandalism, should be reported to the police. The party in charge for that location is East Jakarta Parks Sub-Department,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Head of East Jakarta East Jakarta Parks Sub-Department Green Belts Section, Abubakar, acknowledged that the green belt on Jalan Raya Persahabatan Timur has been occupied by tens of illegal workshops. Later, the damaged guardrails will be welded. His party has reported this matter to the mayor, but he claimed does not know anything about the illegal charges collected from the workshop owners.

“I don’t know at all, I just hear it,” he expressed.