BOGOR. Hundreds of security and Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) personnel, along with several pieces of heavy equipment, were deployed to tear down 250 illegal houses and buildings along the banks of the west flood-control canal in Cideng, Central Jakarta, on Monday.

The illegal structures were demolished to make room for a road connecting the Roxy business district and Tanah Abang railroad station.

Satpol PP head Kukuh Hadi Santoso said the illegal buildings along the canal’s banks contravened Bylaw No. 8/2007 on public order, adding that all the inhabitants had been informed of the planned demolition well ahead of time.

 “The administration will not be paying any compensation to the owners of these illegal properties,” he said as quoted by beritajakarta.com.

Head of the Central Jakarta public works office, Maryana, said the road, whose construction will begin this week, was due to be completed within a month. (The Jakarta Post)

Editor: Asnil Amri