TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta administration has planned to acquire lands owned by PT Pluit Sakti Karisma and PT Karya Teknik Utama to build low-cost apartments for Luar Batang Village residents in North Jakarta.

“We will coordinate with and owners, and if they’re willing [to sell], the administration will be settled by the Housing Agency as agreed on Friday last week,” North Jakarta acting mayor Wahyu Hariadi said on Sunday, May 1, 2016.

Wahyu explained that a coordination meeting with Jakarta administration’s regional secretary was held last week. According to Wahyu, the low-cost apartment development was not prepared in a rush after the demolition of Luar Batang Fish Market. Wahyu said that the development was hampered by funding issues.

“In the 2016 fiscal year, we will try to realize [the plan] with the Housing Agency and the North Jakarta administration,” Wahyu added.

Wahyu revealed that the low-cost apartment would be built for Luar Batang residents affected by the demolition. Therefore, the relocation would not be far from Luar Batang Mosque.

Wahyu said that the city administration would facilitate meetings between the Housing Agency and land owners in North Jakarta. Wahyu added that residents who had been relocated to low cost apartments in other areas might be able to return to Luar Batang.

LARISSA HUDA