TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan asserted the city administration would not file an appeal for the court`s rule that favored Bukit Duri evictees` class action lawsuit. The governor claimed President Joko `Jokowi` Widodo agreed on the decision.

“He (President Jokowi) agreed on the matter,” said Anies at Jakarta City Hall on Tuesday, September 18.

Anies further asserted that the community action plan (CAP) program in Bukit Duri, South Jakarta would be maintained. While unfortunately, the compensation payment would be postponed because the Ciliwung-Cisadane Flood Control Office (BBWSCC) submitted an appeal for the court’s decision that wins Bukit Duri residents.

“We have to wait for an inkracht (a final and binding court ruling),” said Jakarta’s legal aid division head, Nur Fadjar, as quoted from Koran Tempo, Tuesday, September 18.

BBWSCC filed an appeal on September 6. BBWSCC Head Bambang Hidayah said the legal action was conducted to save the country’s budget. “Those who filed [a class action] live on the edge of the river which is prohibited [to do so],” Bambang underlined.

He mentioned BBWSCC filed an appeal considering Bukit Duri residents, who were evicted due to the Ciliwung River normalization project, could not show their land or house certificate.

Meanwhile, Anies Baswedan had a different opinion. He accepted the court’s rule because he did not want to burden the community.

M YUSUF MANURUNG | GANGSAR PARIKESIT