TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - From a number of facts leading to the clash in the eviction of houses in flood-prone Kampung Pulo, East Jakarta, the decision made by Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama to evict houses along the banks of Ciliwung river can be understood.

He might be too noisy and his words might be harsh. However, when it comes to action, he has already taken measures according to the prevailing regulations.

The eviction was marred with a clash between Public Order Agency officials and the residents who fought against the eviction. The officials, who were assisted by security apparatus, could only contain the situation one day later.

Later on, it was reported that the residents rejected the relocation there were no compensations for their buildings.

It is not clear yet on how the land compensation issue has drawn debates about the ownership of the land.

Residents in Kampung Pulo, East Jakarta, consider that it is enough by showing an agreement document of transaction and the receipt of the land and building (PBB) tax.

However, the Jakarta provincial government refers to the provisions of the Law Number 6 of 1960 on the basic regulations of agrarian matters: the proof of land ownership is a land deeds.

By referring to the law, it is difficult to accept the reasons and non-certificate documents as the base of the claim of the land.

Besides, with any reasons given, the fact remains that the land is located by the riverbank and owned by the state and its function as the green lane must not be rented.

In order to restore the function of the land, the relocation of resident in three community units (RW) in Kampung Pulo is done. The restoration is part of the normalization project of Ciliwung river in an effort to mitigate the impacts of floods to Jakarta’s residents.

And the Jakarta provincial government is now accelerating the project. The project is expected to be completed next year.

Before the decision of the eviction was made, Basuki has attempted to disseminate the normalization project: what will the government do and what are the consequences for residents near Ciliwung riverbank.

The dissemination has been done since a year ago and after the dissemination, some residents agreed to be relocated to low-cost apartments provided by the provincial government.

From around 500 households, around 400 of them have since the beginning agreed to be relocated. Recently, however, the number has dropped after Basuki changed the requirements of the relocation to prevent the selling of those low-cost apartments.

However, this does not change the fact that the Jakarta provincial government has already provided information.

It is regrettable that the relocation, which should have been done orderly and peacefully, was tainted with violence. And there was a dispute in this case as to what caused it and who is behind it.

To straighten out what really happens and also in order to ensure that there are not state apparatus who are involved in any possible irregularities, Basuki should investigate his subordinates, especially those at district and sub-district level.

This is important because the residents said that they never rejected the normalization and never talked about the compensation.

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