Dozens of people who admitted living on Apuran Riverbank, Cengkareng, West Jakarta, came to City Hall to meet Jakarta Governor Basuki ‘Ahok’ Tjahaja Purnama, Tuesday (12/23). Their intention was to ask Ahok to relocate them to Daan Mogot Flat.

So, we are not anti the poor, we actually defend the poor people until today

In front of those people, Ahok explained that Jakarta Provincial Government is currently doing vigorous efforts to resolve flood problem by controlling illegal buildings on riverbanks.

“You want to free Jakarta from flood or not? The problem is that all rivers in Jakarta are occupied,” he stated.

According to Ahok, many residents ask for the building control to be delayed, so they can exchange the people who rent their houses with their own relatives who have Jakarta ID card. It is conducted to get more flat units.

“Then, after you get 10 flat units, do you want to live there? No, because you already have houses. That’s the purpose, to rent your flat units to other people. So, we are not anti the poor, we actually defend the poor all this time. But if you have 10 houses, then you rent them, you are poor or rich?” he uttered.

In the end, Ahok stressed that the relocation of residents affected by building control to flats is the most humane way.

“I relocate them so their lives would be better,” he asserted.