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Gloomy end-game on horizon for denizens of Bukit Duri

Sanggar Ciliwung Merdeka, an organization that gives a voice to the marginalized inhabitants of the banks of the Ciliwung River, may soon face the same fate as many other inhabitants of Bukit Duri subdistrict in South Jakarta: eviction

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Sat, July 23, 2016

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Gloomy end-game on horizon for denizens of Bukit Duri

S

anggar Ciliwung Merdeka, an organization that gives a voice to the marginalized inhabitants of the banks of the Ciliwung River, may soon face the same fate as many other inhabitants of Bukit Duri subdistrict in South Jakarta: eviction.

The organization was founded by activist Sandyawan Sumard to empower local people through educational and cultural programs.

“In 1999, I decided to live here to carry out the empowerment programs. I bought this house I had rented previously and renovated it so residents could use it as a public space,” Sandyawan recalled.

Funded by donations and a few sponsors, Ciliwung Merdeka had three main missions for Bukit Duri: mental and social transformation; organized communication and collaboration among neighborhood units (RT), community unit (RW) and the subdistrict; and infrastructure development.

“I always join Ciliwung Merdeka’s events; they’re always valuable and entertaining,” local man Ranto Poltak Tambunan told The Jakarta Post.

Eviction began to loom large over Bukit Duri in 2003, when the city administration formulated its Clean River Program (Prokasih), which was to entail the eviction of a number of Bukit Duri residents — 97 households comprising around 500 people.

However, the program was not completed and residents earned a stay of execution — until 2014.

Two years ago, when Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama was promoted from deputy governor to governor, he immediately planned to demolish houses and buildings along the banks of the Ciliwung as part of attempts to mitigate flooding.

The administration further said that Bukit Duri and Kampung Pulo in East Jakarta, lying on opposite banks of the river, were state land, and the settlements there illegal.

Sandyawan and Kampung Pulo public figure Habib Soleh tried to find a solution with the Jakarta administration to prevent the evictions, such as providing legal ownership documentation.

The efforts were not taken into account as the administration, with help from the Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), cleared Kampung Pulo, home to 3,809 households, in August last year.

The next areas slated for clearing are three RTs in RW 10, as well as others in RWs 11 and 12

With Bukit Duri the next target, Ciliwung Merdeka has set up a legal team to defend residents’ land rights, shifting from its original raison d’etre to legal advocacy given residents’ limited legal knowledge.

On May 10, Bukit Duri residents filed a class lawsuit against the Jakarta administration, the Ciliwung-Cisadane Flood Office Program (BBWSCC) and the South Jakarta municipality.

The struggle, however, may be drawing to a denouement, Ahok having announced his intention to immediately carry out the evictions, after nearly a year of delays.

 “It seems that the administration may break loose and start clearing soon,” Sandyawan said.

While judges have instructed the administration to hold off any action until the court has reached a verdict, Ahok has indicated the city may go ahead regardless.

The administration will relocate evictees to low-cost rental apartments (rusunawa) in Cipinang or Pulo Gebang in East Jakarta. However, no compensation will be given, as the city deems the residents to be illegally occupying the land.

“Had I the opportunity, I would remind the administration that urban development is not just about building big blocks and skyscrapers — it’s also about the people,” said one resident, Ano.

“Who wants to be poor?” He went on. “We hate being poor. It is poverty that the government should eradicate, not us.” (adt)

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