TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Open conflict between the public order police and residents of Kampung Pulo in East Jakarta, is a case of a policy implemented in anger. Evicted residents were upset because they claimed Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama-better known as Ahok-had gone back on on his word. He, on the other hand, justified his actions because the residents insisted in having their own way. Consequently, an excavator was burnt down by a mob and a number of people were hurt in the incident.
The Jakarta government's initial plan was to widen the banks of the Ciliwung River, which had narrowed because of 'reclamation' carried by the residents. The plan was a flood-prevention solution that had been in the making for more than four decades. Ahok claims the residents kept delaying their agreement to relocate. It was first planned in 2013, but postponed at the request of the residents, pending the construction of apartment buildings the residents would be moving into and paying rent. But when the apartment units were ready for occupation, the Kampung Pulo residents asked that the move be carried out after Lebaran. At that point, the backhoe machines did their job on the slum areas.
At a meeting with the Ciliwung Merdeka Community-a non-government group assisting the Kampung Pulo residents-it was understood that Ahok planned to build apartment buildings that would be built not far from the present site. During the dry season, the lower, unused part of the buildings were to be made into parks and children's playgrounds. During the rainy season, it would be left to take in excess water. The Ciliwung Merdeka Community saw this concept as the best option because it would not change the kampung culture that had existed since 1930, in which interaction between residents could be maintained. But Ahok later became upset when residents asked to be compensated for the land and house that they had occupied. He rejected their demands because none of the residents could produce the right documentation, as required by regulations. The homes built on Kampung Pulo had indeed been built without permits.
Ahok's firm action is commendable, but the people's protests should not be seen merely as an effort to profit from the project. It must be admitted that the government failed to publicize its programs and projects effectively. The cancellation of an earlier plan to build the Ciliwung flood tunnel-conceived by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and reinforced by a government regulation during the governorship of Joko Widodo-was not known by the residents. Ahok's plan to build the apartment buildings at a certain location was also not sufficiently publicized.
Ahok would do well not to close his eyes to these people's voices. After all, no action was taken against the residents for building more homes along the Ciliwung River banks and causing it to narrow drastically The local government even issued them with ID cards, provided them with electricity, and officially recognized the homes-thanks to the corruption inside the local administration.
Today, Kampung Pulo has been levelled. Some of its resident have moved to apartments located elsewhere. Now that there's more space, Ahok should consider building apartments on the site. According to social research and architectural studies, a new kampung can represent the original Kampung Pulo, a word that means island.
Ahok should be commended for his decisiveness, but he should also infuse it with humanitarian considerations. (*)
