We'd warned the owners five times, but they ignored it. That's why we had to demolish their buildings which used as toilet and kitchen

A number of Satpol PP officers tore down four buildings stood atop connecting channels on Jalan Swadharma, Ulujami, Pesanggrahan, Monday (9/1). Prior to demolishment, the building owners were receiving warning letters five times but they ignored it.

"We'd warned the owners five times, but they ignored it. That's why we had to demolish their buildings which used as toilet and kitchen," expressed Head of Pesanggrahan Sub-District, Eko Suroyo, Monday (9/1).

Suroyo disclosed there are totally 17 illegal buildings because they stood atop a land where its ownership is unclear. "The land is reportedly belonging Jakarta Provincial Government. But there is also claim from the BNI," he told.

Besides four buildings, officers also tore down two entrances to residential using manhole covers or locally called as inrit.

"This is very disturbing, officers cannot clean up channel due to it was covered by manhole covers," he expressed.

The demolishment had colored with protest from locals. But it could be controlled after officers gave an explanation to the owners. "Yes, I didn't know the rules when I built the manhole covers there," admitted Widodo (50), one of building owners.