Locals reject school development

The Jakarta Post

BEKASI: Residents of the upscale housing complex Harapan Indah in Bekasi Utara subdistrict opposed Friday the construction of two Islamic schools in a site allocated for social facilities.

A resident, Tri Purnomo, said the 5-hectare plot of land was used as a soccer field and was designated a water catchment area.

"We have warned the two foundations building the schools not to continue construction or the residents will dismantle them," the community unit chief was quoted as saying by Antara.

The Indonesian Young Intellectuals Foundation (IPI) planned to build a high school on three hectares of the plot, while Al-Izza planned an elementary school that would occupy another hectare.

Residents dismantled fences built by the IPI around its development site.

Tri said residents asked housing developer Hasanah Damai Putra to cancel the project and allow the site to function as a water catchment. -- JP