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Ahok rejects criticism of eviction policy
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Law and Human Rights Minister Yosonna Laoly (center), accompanied by Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, speaks to journalists after launching a legal awareness movement in 33 subdistricts across the capital city at City Hall on Friday.
(kompas.com/Kurnia Sari Aziza )
G
overnor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama invited Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly on Friday to attend an event to launch a legal awareness movement in 33 subdistricts across the capital city.
The governor used the occasion to respond to criticism of his eviction policy, which has been criticized as a violation of human rights by right activists as well as commissioners of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and his political rivals.
In his speech to an audience that included Yasonna Ahok rhetorically asked the minister what the difference was between HAM (human rights) and a hamburger.
“I will tell you the difference between them Mr. Minister. I violate HAM principles if a resident comes to us to obtain a building permit but we do not serve him. In this case, yes I violate HAM principles,” said the governor.
“But when I relocate residents who occupy state land or river banks to better placed low-cost apartments many parties say that the Basuki policy is a violation of HAM. In my opinion, it is not a violation of HAM, in fact [it’s kind of like giving them] a hamburger,” said Ahok to uproarious laughter.
During the event, Yasonna handed over awards to the heads of 33 subdistricts that were categorized as having displayed a high awareness of respect for the law.
The criteria for the award included 90 percent of residents having paid their property taxes, an absence of underage marriage and low crime rates. (bbn)
