TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of residents living at Ria Rio reservoir could not be relocated to the Jatinegara Kaum low-cost apartments in Pulogadung since they came from outside Jakarta and did not possess a letter stating that they have moved from their original domicile.

“Many Ria Rio residents came from Indramayu, Central Java and East Java. But we’re prioritizing [the low-cost apartments] for those who own Jakarta ID card,” Pulogadung district head Teguh Hendrawan told Tempo on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

According to Teguh, the measure was taken to prevent people taking advantages from the relocation program. He referred to the last year’s program to relocate 150 families from Ria Rio reservoir. However, when the program was executed, the number swelled to 600 families.

The incident occurred because many residents outside of Ria Rio reservoir were admitted at temporary shelters.

“Our mistake at that time was relocating all residents from the temporary shelters without verifying their ID cards,” he said.

On Saturday, November 15, 2014, the Jakarta administration planned to relocate 106 families from Kayu Putih ward, Pulogadung district, East Jakarta to 200 Jatinegara Kaum low-cost apartments. Teguh said the Jakarta administration gave a week to complete the relocation.

PAMELA SARNIA