But are evictions always bad? Can there not be cases where evictions are the right thing to do? It is true that those targeted for eviction suffer. There is also that nagging suspicion many people have when it comes to government evictions, because they remember past instances when officials forced people from their homes on the pretext the land would be used for public purposes, only to see the land developed into commercial property at the benefit of some well connected person.

However, while we are of the opinion that evictions should always be used as an absolute last resort, there are times that the government has no choice but to remove people from their homes and places of work for the greater interest of the public.

Just recently the city administration created a public park in Pasar Genjing, Central Jakarta, on land that for years had been used as a traditional market. Most people agree the new park is necessary.

When then governor Sutiyoso closed down the soccer stadium in Menteng several years ago, many people were upset and few believed his promise to build an open green area on the site. Now there is a beautiful park there, which hopefully will not be abandoned to business interests who no doubt would covet such a strategic spot.

Last week, the city authorities shut down the popular Barito flower and fish market at the cost of hundreds of small traders. The traders were relocated to Jl. Radio Dalam, also in South Jakarta, because the government wants to return the Barito site to its original function as a public park.

Governor Fauzi Bowo clearly desires to build more public parks to serve as the lungs of the city. Apparently, he has a long list of new public parks in mind, including at what is now the Rawasari ceramic and rattan market in Central Jakarta and Taman Puring in South Jakarta. Other targeted locations are in Sunter Agung and Tanjung Priok, both in North Jakarta.

Jakartans will support the governor's program to create more public spaces, especially if he undertakes the necessary comprehensive and long-term planning to realize the much needed parks. The governor is on the right track in his plan to create more public spaces, although we realize that many people will have to pay very dearly for the program.

The presence of more parks, however, will be meaningless if not accompanied by other strategic actions, like much tougher sanctions against big developers and property owners who steal public land to enrich themselves. City officials who accept bribes or officials who extort money from squatters should also be punished.

With so many examples, it is likely that just about every Jakartan can name at least one location which is supposed to belong to the public but has been appropriated by the private sector with the help of venal city officials.

Look at what has happened, and is still going on, in the Senayan area. Another example is people who build houses or shops under the toll roads in Jakarta. A recent fire near the Jembatan

Tiga tollgate caused severe damage to a section of the tollway. Yet, the government remains hesitant to clean up these places to ensure the safety of toll road users.

Governor Fauzi needs to announce to the public his eviction programs as soon as possible to allow those who will be evicted time to make the necessary plans. We need to keep in mind that all people, both rich and poor, are equal before the law. Those who use property they know does not belong to them should also realize the government has the right to demand they leave the land.

The governor is correct to build more public spaces and he will receive more support when people are convinced he is being both honest and transparent in his program, and that he is ready to help those evicted, even if they have no legal right to the land.

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