TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - West Java's Public Order Officers (Satpol PP) plan to demolish scores of illegal villas in Bogor Regency, which were built on state-owned land.
"There are plenty of such villas, and we are awaiting the coordination and cooperation of Bogor's administration before we move to demolish the illegal dwellings," said the Head of West Java's Satpol PP, Udjawalprana Sigit in Bandung on Monday, February 2, 2015.
Sigit said that the demolition process has already begun in Bogor Regency - especially around Cisarua and Mega Mendung. "Currently, officials from Bogor's administration are reviewing [the villas'] licenses and permits. Once they're done, we will begin the demolition process along with officials from the administration," he said.
Sigit said that other areas that will be subject to reviews and demolition in West Java, including North Bandung, but progress has been halted as several homeowners have filed lawsuits in court to stop the demolition process by the Provincial Government.
"Several owners have sued the Government with regards to the demolition, despite the fact that their dwellings were built on state-owned land," said Sigit. We need to educate the masses on what is right and wrong. They need to accept and admit that what they did was wrong."
Sigit explained that there are 37 owners in North Bandung who had filed lawsuits against West Java's Provincial Government to the State Administrative Court (PTUN). "We respect their decision, and as such we need to wait until a decision has been reached. One thing is for sure - the demolitions will continue," he said.
"One thing that the public need to understand that the use of land in North Bandung is regulated by a Regional Regulation [Perda]. If a recommendation was not issued by the relevant authorities, then a structure should not be erected. This is clearly outlined in our regulation," finished Sigit.
ANTARANEWS