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Kampung Bayam residents still homeless, four years on
Recently, a joint team comprising members of the National Police, the military and the Jakarta Public Order Agency raided Kampung Susun Bayam to force the inhabitants to leave. They finally agreed to return to the temporary shelters on the condition that Furqon was released.
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Houses in Kampung Bayam, in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, after demolition on Nov. 1, 2020. (Shutterstock/infiksjurnal)
N
ot far from the grandiose Jakarta International Stadium (JIS), known as one of the largest sport venues in Southeast Asia, stands the low-cost Kampung Susun Bayam apartment complex with a capacity to house over 100 families.
Ironically, the neighborhood’s former residents who were evicted to make way for the stadium now live in temporary shelters without adequate access to basic needs, jobs and education.
Furqon, a 45-year-old former resident of Kampung Bayam, told The Jakarta Post on Friday that he never imagined he would be living in conditions diametrically opposite to that of his previous home in the North Jakarta neighborhood.
“Back then, water was very abundant for everyone. We had our own separate water [supply] for farming [...] which was the main job for most residents. Meanwhile, water for daily needs was supplied by city-owned water company PAM. We also had access to electricity,” said Furqon, who also heads the local farmers’ group.
Since they were relocated to the temporary shelters on Jl. Tongkol in Ancol, the community of ex-residents relies on a single well. They have also had no choice but to illegally siphon electricity from the power grid, due to lack of government assistance.
Their prolonged displacement has taken a huge toll on the livelihoods of the ex-residents, who now rely on odd jobs to make ends meet. Tens of hectares of their agricultural land have reportedly been leveled to construct the stadium.
“Many residents have been left with no choice but to scavenge [trash] or work on construction sites. If they don’t do that, how are they going to eat?” Furqon said.
