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tate railway operator PT Kereta Api (KA) has ordered hundreds of squatters to move before it demolishes their homes near Sawah Besar in March, leaving residents concerned about what might happen next.

Some of the squatters living under the bridge connecting the Jayakarta and Sawah Besar railway stations in West Jakarta said they were prepared to move. Others said they would stand fast.

KA gave written notice to the squatters on Feb. 9 advising them that demolition would take place on Mar. 8 and suggesting they move by Mar. 7.

“I have been prepared to move since yesterday. Now I’m ready to move to Tangki,” Wasimah, who lives in a makeshift home at the Kios Mega Pelita complex under the bridge, said.

He said he paid Rp 700,000 (US$ 77) a month for his space, once every six months.

While some people such as Wasimah already knew where they would go, others said they were still in dark and would have to make do renting rooms in other neighborhoods.

Some squatters said they were sad about the demolition, but had no grounds to object.

“I’m ready, even though I still don’t know where to move,” said Ahmad Tatang, 61, a wooden box maker who has lived under the bridge for the last 20 years.

“I know that the land is not mine, so there is no choice left for us. I will have to pack up Feb. 27, whatever the consequences,” he added.

The planned eviction has also taken its toll on the squatters’ emotionally.

Supriatin, 36, said that she was depressed thinking about what would happen on March 8.

“I am a mother of four. Two of my children are already in school and the rest are infants. It is just unimaginable to move to another place so fast. We just can’t afford it,” she said.

“The rent around here rose quickly after the news broke about the demolition. The rent has rocketed from Rp 8 million to Rp 30 million a year,” Supriatin said.

There was little that she could do save move, Supriatin said.

Some squatters have decided to resist, demanding that KA postpone the eviction until after Idul Fitri in August.

Those who want to stay have established the Communication Forum for Squatters under the Railway Bridge (FKM-J) to negotiate with the railway company.

“We need more time to prepare. Please don’t start the demolition project so soon,” Nyai, a FKM-J member, said.

The 47-year-old said she has lived in the area for more than 15 years and has never had a problem previously.

Neither the city government nor the railway company told the squatters about the demolition plan, she added.

“State electricity company PT PLN will cut the power on Feb. 20 and that worries us the most,” she added.

Forum chief Zulkifli said that about 140 school children who live in the area were expected to take final exams in March.

“That’s the reason why we don’t want to relocate so soon,” he said. (fhu)