Jakarta City Poor People Network Wins Class Action

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The City Poor People Network won its class action against the capital city’s governor, police chief and military chief, at the Central Jakarta State Court on Thursday (21/3). The Network was acting on behalf of 15,000 Jakarta citizens, including people whose homes had been demolished, “becak” or pedicab drivers, car wash owners, sidewalk vendors and street singers. The council of judges, led by I Nengah Suryada, ruled that the acts of demolishing car washes, raiding of pedicabs and arresting of street singers carried out by the three accused in many parts of Jakarta violated the law. “We the judges, did not find any arrest, raid or demolition warrants in regard to this case,” said Suryada. In his ruling, Suryada also said that the Jakarta governor must stop arresting people, demolishing and raiding places without any legal grounds. Hundreds of people attending the trial welcomed this ruling, with some shouting out “Long live the judge.” Jakarta governor Sutiyoso said he would appeal against the ruling, while speaking to the TEMPO News Room on Thursday afternoon (21/3). According to the governor, everything he has done has been based on the prevailing procedures for maintaining public order.