Bandung – Hundreds of quake victims from Pengalengan, Bandung regency, occupied the regency legislative building on Monday to demand clarification on the reconstruction program for their damaged houses.

The victims of the Sept. 2 quake deemed the government had neglected them and shifted the aid fund to West Sumatra quake victims.

They asked the administration to disburse the fund of Rp 21 billion (US$2.2 million) of the local budget, which had been promised earlier for the rehabilitation program.

"Their commitment is just a lie. We refuse to negotiate until they decide the budget," Umar Alam Nusantara, coordinator of West Java Quake Victims Solidarity, said.

Umar said the victims would continue to occupy the council until the legislature and Bandung Regent Obar Sobarna signed the disbursement of the fund for the reconstruction program.

Hundreds of police officers who were deployed to guard the council were unable to prevent the victims from entering the building.

The council leaders and the regent were discussing the "occupation" of the council outside the building.