More than 100 families who were residents of Pedongkelan in Kayu Putih district, East Jakarta, were evicted and relocated to the Jatinegara Kaum low-cost apartment complex while 200 illegal buildings, mostly houses, were torn down in efforts to expand the Ria-Rio reservoir and build a new park in the area.

The demolition of buildings and the eviction of residents did not spark any resistance as it was conducted early on Saturday and involved personnel from the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), the local military, the local police and the Housing and Administrative Building Supervision Agency.

'€œThe great number of personnel deploying four units of heavy equipment began the demolition work when most residents were still sleeping, so [though they woke up and escaped], there was no chance for residents to resist. The heavy equipment tore down not only houses but also residents'€™ belongings such as washing machines, air conditioners, cupboards, furniture, personal computers and beds,'€ said Nanggala Yuda, a 39-year-old resident of community unit (RW) 15 in Pedongkelan.

Nanggala, who claimed to have an authentic ownership document for his 150-square-meter plot of land, called on the city administration to take account for all damage from the demolition.

He said the city administration should pay fair compensation for the demolished buildings and damaged goods.

He added that besides his land, his family suffered an estimated Rp 30 million in losses from their house, furniture and goods.

Nanggala admitted that he was one of several residents protesting the demolition and the relocation because, according to a team set up by residents to negotiate with the city administration, both city-owned PT Pulomas Jaya and the city administration were not serious about clearing the reservoir of buildings.

Residents have demanded the city administration pay Rp 1.9 million per square meter in accordance with the taxable value of property (NJOP) in the area.

'€œMost residents will agree with the demolition only after the city administration and the negotiating team agree on the compensation for the land and buildings,'€ he said.

Separately, Pulogadung district head Teguh Hendrawan, who supervised the demolition and the residents'€™ relocation, said the demolition was conducted without any negotiation or compromise with residents because information about the plan had been disseminated several times since September.

'€œFollowing the demolition, residents were transported to their new homes at the Jatinegara Kauman low-cost apartments. They were relocated because the 1.1-hectare area belonging to PT Pulomas Jaya will be used to normalize the reservoir and to make a large park,'€ he said as quoted by kompas.com.

According to Teguh, following the dissemination, residents declined to tear down their buildings and relocate just to test whether or not city authorities were serious about the planned demolition.

It was the second phase of demolition after a first stage conducted in December 2013, when the city administration demolished hundreds of illegal buildings on 2.5 hectares of land near the reservoir and relocated 350 families to low-cost apartments in Cakung and Pulogebang, East Jakarta.

Teguh said a third phase would be conducted in February 2015, to relocate hundreds of residents illegally occupying 3 hectares of land of which former president Muhammad Hatta'€™s family has claimed to be the legitimate owner.

He said the city administration would not negotiate with squatters who had demanded Rp 6 million per square meter in compensation for land they had illegally occupied.

He added that a number of Satpol PP personnel would be deployed to safeguard areas cleared of illegal buildings and squatters.

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