The government’s forced eviction of Kampung Pulo led to a day of violence last week as well as criticism from National Commission for the Protection of Human Rights (Komnas HAM), who yesterday denounced the way the evictions were handled as a violation of human rights.
“It is regrettable, Jokowi and Ahok promised they would help these citizens. But instead it was done without giving any compensation, which is not only cruel but a violation of the people’s rights. It’s their property, it should not be like this,” said Siane Indriani, coordinator of Komnas HAM’s Monitoring Sub-committee and Investigation Commission, as quoted by Kompas.
In addition to the government not giving Kampung Pulo’s citizens enough compensation, Komnas HAM argued that Ahok’s administration failed to engage in a dialogue with the kampung’s residents that could have led to a mutually acceptable solution.
Ahok apparently did not take too kindly to the Komnas HAM’s criticism
“I’m tired of the Human Rights Commission. They always say this and that,” Ahok said yesterday as quoted by Tempo.
The governor dismissed the idea that he had not engaged in a dialogue with the kampung’s residents, arguing that the government listened to them regarding the location of the new rent-free apartment buildings they were given. Because they wanted to stay close to Kampung Pulo, the only place where the state could build the apartments was on land occupied by a Department of Water building.
“So I gave up the building Dept. Water System to build towers,” Ahok said, adding that the kampung’s residents might have chosen the location because they didn’t believe he would tear down a government building to build their new homes.
Ahok also admitted that both he and Jokowi had promised to give more compensation to Kampung Pulo residents previously, but said that new rules from the central government prevented the Jakarta administration what would essentially amount to charity, given that Kampung Pulo residents could not legally prove they owned their land.
