Hundreds of residents from RW 13, Kelapa Gading Barat Urban Village, Kelapa Gading Sub-District, North Jakarta, are long-marching to North Jakarta Mayor office before finally hold demonstration there, Thursday (5/22). The action is conducted because the compensation of their lands and buildings is paid in phases. Because of the demonstration, congestion occurs along Jalan Yos Sudarso.

Our demand is still the same, getting the compensation paid 100 percent and not in phases. It has been eight months since the residents’ houses burned down, but they are not allowed to rebuild their houses

Chief of RW 13 Kelapa Gading Barat, Bawono, explained that the compensation is paid by PT Bumi Boga Persada to only five buildings per day. On the other hand, there are 166 families living in RT 07, 334 families in RT 08, and 540 families in RT 09. If current compensation payment continues, it would take seven months to finish.

“ Our demand is still the same, getting the compensation paid 100 percent and not in phases. It has been eight months since the residents’ houses burned down, but they are not allowed to rebuild their houses . That’s why we want to ask for a solution from the mayor, at least (the compensation of) 50 houses (paid) per day,” he stated.

For information, the agreed compensation price is Rp 250,000 per meter for normal type house, Rp 350,000 per meter for semi-permanent house, Rp 550,000 per meter for type V permanent house, and Rp 650,000 per meter for type IV permanent house.

Responding the protesters’ demand, North Jakarta Secretary, Junaedi, said that his party has tried to push PT Boga Bumi Persada to immediately pay the compensation to the residents. But, he admitted there is limitation over the company, because it is not structurally under the government.

“Residents please make a statement first, then please leave after being paid. We’ll bring that letter to the company, so they would increase the amount of money paid daily. Hopefully there is a solution,” he expressed.

To secure this demonstration, as many as 165 personnel from Kelapa Gading Metro Sector Police are deployed to the location.

“We control and regulate the traffic, so the congestion would not be too severe when the residents long-marching,” stated Kelapa Gading Metro Sector Police Chief Comr. Sutriyono.