TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In a bid to help expedite slow land acquisition for the MRT project, the Jakarta administration has offered incentives to residents whose land is set to be affected by the extensive project, as reported by Antara News.

Acting governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama said that besides fair compensation, residents who would have a portion of their land acquired by PT MRT for the project would be allowed to construct multi-story buildings on their remaining land, while those whose land was wholly acquired for the project would receive building permits to develop new houses in other areas of the capital.

“We are offering the incentives to help residents whose land and buildings are affected by the project,” stated Ahok after receiving PT MRT management at his office at City Hall on Thursday.

Ahok made the offer because the ongoing construction project is progressing slowly as many residents on Jl. Fatmawati and Jl. TB Simatupang in South Jakarta have declined to sell their land and buildings for the project.

PT MRT, which has offered to pay Rp35 million per square meter, higher than the taxable value of property (NJOP) in the area, suspended the land acquisition as many residents have demanded that the company pay Rp60 million per square meter and many others have declined to sell.

According to the NJOP, the land price in the area is Rp30 million per square meter.

Ahok said the city planned to issue a letter that allowed owners who willingly handed over their land for the project to access the compensation offered by the government and the company.

“If they usually are allowed to build four floors, now with the incentives, they will be allowed to build up to eight floors on their remaining land,” he said.

ANTARA NEWS