Friday, 28 November 2014 - 11:23
Family threatened after move to Moluccan neighborhood
A threatening situation is brewing in the Moluccan district in Hoogeveen. On Monday housing corporation Domesta leased a house in the neighborhood to a Dutch family, much to the dissatisfaction of the residents of the neighborhood. The house was defaced last night.
The house on Ebbingestraat is currently empty and being refurbished. "Moluccan district only Moluccans" is written in big black letters on the front window of the house. The new residents plan to occupy the property on Monday, according to a spokesman of Domesta.
"Domesta plays a dirty game." says district resident Sammy de Lima. "This residential area was built 51 years ago for the Moluccans. This district was given to us by the state. We want to keep it that way. We have our own habits, you should not put other people between it. Account should be taken of people's feelings. You can't take away our Moluccan heritage." According to De Lima, everyone in the neighborhood agree with him.
A residents' committee is active in the Moluccan district. According to De Lima, this committee has been in contact with Domesta and conveyed that hard actions will follow if the housing corporation does not back down. "I dare say it will be hard actions. We do not shy away from this. I sharpened my machete. Domesta is playing with human lives."
The municipality, a representation of residents from the Moluccan district and Domesta will discuss making arrangements for a housing allocation system on Tuesday. "We understand the feelings that live within the Moluccan community and will do all we can to resolve this issue in a good way", said Deputy Mayor Anno Wietze Hiemstra.