W. Jakarta destroys illegal buildings

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post): The West Jakarta building supervision agency on Tuesday bulldozed several three-story shop-houses being constructed in Tambora district because the owners did not have the necessary building permits.

"People cannot just put up a building without building permits from the agency," agency head Djangga Lubis said.

He said the agency issued three warning letters to halt the construction, before issuing the demolition order.

Purnomo, one of the owners of the eight demolished shop-houses, said he applied for a building permit more than a month ago.

"I applied for the building permit and I am still waiting for the paper," he said.

He said he had already invested a great deal of money in the now-demolished shop-house.

"As soon I get a permit, I will rebuild the house," he said.

Lubis said an applicant could obtain a residential building permit within 10 days and a commercial-use building permit within 14 days, provided they had all the necessary documents, including land certificate and building and land tax receipts. -- JP