Hundreds of joint personnel from Satpol PP, national army, and police tore down 25 illegal buildings stood atop a 4,000-square meter long land on Jalan Pancoran Timur II, RT 12/02, South Jakarta, Thursday (10/2). The buildings demolished consist of workshops, food stalls, residences, and wood business.

This demolition is conducted to protect the rights of Jakartan whose land occupied by other people

According to Head of Jakarta Satpol PP, Kukuh Hadi Santoso, the land belongs to Tubagus Orri Buchori who has taken take legal and necessary procedures regarding those illegal buildings. However, the squatters still did not move out from his land.

“The (legal) process has been (running) since two years ago. From court, deliberation, until demolition warrant, but the squatters still refused to empty the land. This demolition is conducted to protect the rights of Jakartan whose land occupied by other people,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Marni, (25), a food stall owner, admitted that she rented the land from someone named Zulkarnaen for as much as Rp 12 million per year. She was surprised when the officers came and asked her to leave the land immediately.

“I have cooked, my stuffs are a lot, has to move out today. If could, I ask time to tidy up stuffs,” she pleaded.

But, Marni’s request was ignored by the officers. Heavy equipment in the location quickly demolished her stall and other buildings.