The site of the future BMW park in North Jakarta has been at the center of controversy since 2008, when public order officers first tore down illegal dwellings to make way for the massive development.
More than 18 months on, some 300 families with no where else to go continue to squat on the land, eking out lives in slum-like conditions.
Penniless and living in a makeshift house without electricity or water, Iche, 32, and her husband, Daud, 37, could barely ensure the safe delivery of their third child when their home was bulldozed as part of forced evictions in August 2008 to make way for the Bersih, Mandiri dan Berwibawa (Clean, Independent and Dignified) park.
Nearly 1,300 households were ordered off the 26.5 hectares of land.
Others, however, stayed, rebuilding semi-permanent homes along a narrow strip of 10 by 500-meter land that snakes between concrete walls cordoning the emptied park lot and rail tracks, while some others erected tents within the site itself.
The squatters live in limbo, knowing they face the daily threat of another eviction to completely clear the park and its surrounding areas.
Early reports released on the development said the city administration planned to build an international sports stadium in the park.
“All I can do is pray to the Lord to help us through this ordeal,” said Daud, a native of Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, who earns Rp 30,000 (US$3) per week playing the guitar at his church’s Sunday service.
Other members of the community rely on informal and irregular work to earn just enough to get through the day.
“I reopened a warung [stall], which brings in around Rp 100,000 per week, so I can feed my family,” said Sumarni, 32, who supports her husband and five children aged between two and 18 years old.
Most evictees like Sumarni have large families with single bread winners who take odd jobs such as workers, hawkers and scavengers.
“Joni supports all of us by working as a cleaner. He travels as far as Blok M, South Jakarta, to get Rp 20,000 from clients needing their drains unclogged. The money is barely enough,” said Sumaidah, 52, about her 24-year-old son-in-law whose meager income feeds nine family members including his wife’s grandparents, parents, siblings and his own newborn daughter.
Daud, Sumarni, Joni and their families say the key to many evictees’ resilience is taking life day by day in terms of earnings and hope.
“The most important thing is that you make it to day’s end,” said Surka, 70, who grows vegetables at the park tomake ends meet.
Behind him an excavator worked, readying the ground for construction. (gzl)
