Events behind Kampung Pulo clash

The Jakarta Post, Thu, August 20 2015,


Thousands of Kampung Pulo residents in East Jakarta were involved in a clash with Public Order Agency officers on Thursday, after the city administration demanded they vacate their houses built on the banks of the Ciliwung River.

Ten Kampung Pulo residents and two Hermina Hospital workers were injured and twenty-seven people were arrested.

Below is a list of events leading up to Thursday’s incident

Aug. 4, 2015

Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama holds a meeting with representatives of Kampung Pulo resident and non-governmental organization Ciliwung Merdeka. The meeting ends with an agreement that:

1. Kampung Pulo residents with no land certificates will not be paid compensation.

2. Revitalization of the Ciliwung River will continue.

3. Ahok offers to buy land for 150 percent of the original price and the resident will move into low-cost apartments.

Aug. 5, 2015

Ahok reveals that Kampung Pulo residents are unable to produce land deeds. He also finds that 527 plots of land do not have certificates. He therefore insists on evicting the residents so the river revitalization program can continue. It is decided that the residents will be relocated to West Jatinegara low-cost apartments.

Aug. 7, 2015

The East Jakarta administration issues the riverbank dwellers with a third warning letter in the first stage of the eviction plan. At least 920 families will be relocated to low-cost apartments.

Aug. 12, 2015

The city administration holds a meeting and decides to delay the eviction until Aug. 20. Ahok instructs residents to start moving into 1,100 apartments prepared by the Jakarta administration.

Aug. 20, 2015

7 a.m.

East Jakarta Mayor Bambang Musyawardana leads a ceremony prior the eviction that is attended by 2,155 public order officers. The first stage of the eviction is expected to last seven days.

8 a.m.

The officers head to Kampung Pulo

8.15 a.m.

A backhoe loader is turned on, inciting rage among residents. A violent clash breaks out.

12.30 p.m.

The clash ends when 150 Jakarta Police officers arrive at the scene.

1.11 p.m.

The eviction continues.



*