R

esidents of Kampung Akuarium in Penjaringan subdistrict, North Jakarta, can see light at the end of the tunnel after the city administration built temporary shelters on the ruins of what was once their neighborhood.

“Alhamdulillah, it’s quite comfortable. Now we’re just waiting for the MCK [bathing, washing and toilet] facilities and electricity to be installed,” said one of the residents, Kartini, 34, who moved into the shelter last week.

While preparing fried bananas near her allocated shelter, she recalled the painful memory of losing the home had she shared with her husband and two children.

They were forced to live in a shack for months.

The neighborhood was cleared in April 2016 by the Jakarta administration to make way for a planned marine tourism center.

At the time, hundreds of evicted residents refused to be placed in government-subsidized low-cost apartments, instead preferring to build shacks on top of the ruins of their neighborhood.

Located behind the Maritime Museum, Kampung Akuarium still bears graffiti denouncing former governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and his perceived iron-fisted rule.

Current Governor Anies Baswedan made a campaign promise that he would not evict anyone if he won the 2017 election.

He told residents after winning that he would rebuild the neighborhood and involve them in the planning phase.

During a visit, The Jakarta Post found that 36 out of 100 evicted families have now moved into temporary shelters built by the administration.

Didik, a Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) officer stationed in the neighborhood, said two of the three blocks have been occupied.

“Ninety percent of Block A’s shelters have been filled and around six or more families have moved into Block C’s units,” said Didik, adding that they would still have to clear out a number of shacks to begin construction of Block B’s shelters.

The 107 units, which make up the three blocks, are expected to house all current residents. Construction is estimated to take about two months.

Didik said the shelters were only a temporary measure. “The shelters are only for one or two years, three years at a maximum.”

Kartini, however, had heard that the residents would be given permanent housing in the area.

“They’ll build permanent housing for us, Insha’Allah [God willing]. This [the shelter] is only for the time being,” she said with a glimmer of hope in her voice.

Jakarta Public Housing and Public Buildings Agency head Agustino Darmawan could not be reached for comment about the city’s plan for Kampung Akuarium.

Penjaringan district head Mohammad Andri told the Post on Tuesday that its fate was currently being discussed in an action plan with residents.

“After we have determined the design, we will build permanent housing with a tourism-oriented village concept,” said Andri, adding that the plans would take into account the residents’ suggestions, the administration’s plans and existing laws and regulations.

Anies had previously planned for Kampung Akuarium to be integrated into a marine tourism center, with the temporary shelters as a stopgap measure.

The city administration allocated Rp 15 billion (US$1,05 million) for the construction of the shelters in Kampung Akuarium and Kampung Kunir in West Jakarta. (jlm)