The Jakarta Post, Fri, August 28 2015
Dozens of former residents of Kampung Pulo in East Jakarta demonstrated in front of the house of Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama on Friday to protest against their recent eviction from their houses in the flood-prone area.
The protesters claimed that the decision to evict them demonstrated Ahok’s arrogance. “We are holding this action to prevent Ahok from continuing to use violence to keep Jakarta in order. The excessive deployment of security forces when evicting Kampung Pulo residents was unacceptable,” said protest coordinator Tegar Putuhena, as quoted by tribunnews.com.
Dozens of police officers stood in front of Ahok’s house to prevent protesters, who carried banners and flyers, from approaching the gate of the house.
The protesters also visited the House of Representatives to report their being evicted to the lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Governor Ahok said that the people who came to the House of Representatives were not residents of Kampung Pulo. “They are squatters, who lived on the banks of Ciliwung River, near Kampung Pulo,” he asserted.
He said the people were lucky not to be prosecuted for occupying state land.
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vr 28 aug 2015 - 9:36