Govt mulls cash compensation for mud victims

Surabaya, NU Online
The government will consider meeting the demand for cash compensation by victims of a mud-flooded housing complex in Sidoarjo, East Java, a minister said Thursday.

The statement was made by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro following a three-hour closed-door meeting with mudflow victims from the Tanggulangin Anggun Sejahtera housing complex. Purnomo leads the government-appointed team dealing with the disaster.<>

"We'll take the demand for cash-and-carry compensation to Jakarta but (the decision) will be made once there are clear restrictions," said Purnomo.

The clear restrictions he was referring to will be part of a new map of the mud disaster zone that will be drawn by East Java Governor Imam Utomo and his team. It will update a map made before an underground gas pipeline explosion in November expanded the mud-flooded area.

The new map will be approved and signed by the government and the victims. It will also be used as evidence in establishing compensation.

Sidoarjo Regent Win Hendrarso, who was also at the meeting, said in accordance with the new map, residents in the housing complex as well as in Kedungbendo, Kepatang, Gempol Sari, Kali Tengah and Porong will receive compensation.

The team and Lapindo Brantas Inc., the company many blame for the disaster, have so far only approved compensation for mudflow victims in four villages: Siring, Kedungbendo, Jatirejo and Renokenongo.

Outside the meeting at the Grahadi building, hundreds of mudflow victims from the housing complex staged a protest, insisting on meeting with Purnomo.

Some 20 meters from the building, they were blocked by dozens of police officers who formed a barricade with barbed wire and water cannons.

"We're not the criminals, sir. It's Lapindo. Why are we always being stopped? If you dare, arrest Lapindo's people and put them in jail," yelled a protester.

The demonstrators mostly came on motorcycles, leaving their makeshift shelters in Pasar Baru Porong market in Sidoarjo in the morning and heading to East Java Legislative building.

After shouting out speeches and blocking roads at the council building, they headed toward the Grahadi building, some seven kilometers away, under tight police monitoring.

Purnomo explained the risk if the government takes over the handling of the mudflow disaster or declares it a national disaster.

If that happens, he said, the mudflow victims will be given the same treatment as victims of other disasters in places such as Aceh, Yogyakarta or East Nusa Tenggara.

"The compensation given will only amount to Rp 15 million for each house," he said.

The deputy head of the East Java Legislative Council's mudflow disaster special team, Muhammad Mirdas, walked out of the gathering.

He said those at the meeting lacked the spirit to defend the victims.

"The new map which will be prepared has to be approved by Lapindo and I'm not happy with it. The only way (to get their demands heard) is for the victims to meet with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono," he said. (tjp/dar)