Ahok: Citizens' Relocation Also Intended for Reducing Fire Disaster

Jakarta Governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) said, one effort to reduce fire disaster in capital is by relocating residents from slum settlement to flat (rusun).

They only need to pay retribution of Rp 5-15 thousand per day

He added, the densely populated residential is very prone to fire because the buildings are generally made of flammable material and installed with illegal electrical connections.

"That is what I say, the citizen in the residential often burn trash near their plywood house, and use the electricity illegally. We're not such an evil by relocating them, but it is intended to prevent fire disaster which can cause casualties and material loss," told Ahok in City Hall, Wednesday (8/5).

Fire Rages Through Densely Populated Area in East Jakarta

Ahok stated it to respond the fire in settlements around Gembrong Market, East Jakarta, Tuesday (8/4) night. The fire was allegedly caused by electricity short circuit. The fire was difficult to put out because the density of toy store and residential area in the location.

Ahok admitted that he wondered about the citizen who don't want move into flat although some are facilities also offered to persuade them.

"Why they don't want to move into flat? They are no need to pay the rent. They only need to pay retribution of Rp 5-15 thousand per day," told Ahok.

Moreover, Ahok continued, all flat reparation is under Jakarta Provincial Government responsibility.

"If they think, they live in their house, repair the door, paint, patched leaks, throw garbage, pay security are their responsibility. But in flat, we give subsidy all of it up to 80 percent," told Ahok.

Ahok guessed, the residents who don’t want to move into flat are the citizen who rent their land, so they will lose their income. "So if the citizens still don’t want to move, they usually have land to be rented," he disclosed.