Lapindo Compensation Stalls for Nine Months

TEMPO Interactive, Sidoarjo:Compensation for the victims of the Lapindo mudflow has been stalled for nine months. “The installments for 80 percent of the remaining sums have not been paid,” said Rustam, a Renokenongo resident. He and dozens of other mudflow victims protested in front of the Sidoarjo Regional Representatives Council (DPRD) building yesterday.

There are 19 families in Gempolsari village, Sidoarjo, who have not received any compensation, including the 20 percent advance payment from PT Minarak Lapindo. “We have not received a dime,” said married couple Solikin and Sulastri, adding that they have ownership papers for their land.

The couple has filed a complaint with the Sidoarjo DPRD and regent, the National commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM), and the Public Works Minister, but the status of their compensation is still unclear. “We have been paying taxes for dry land since 1950,” he said.

PT Minarak is currently liable for Rp1.1 trillion in compensation. According to Mundzir Dwi Ilmiawan, chief of the Sidoarjo DPRD’s special committee for the Lapindo mudflow, the most urgent issue is the outstanding payments of Rp400 billion. The remaining compensation is to be paid no later than the end of 2012.

"Not later than the end of 2010?"

And as usual it will and shall be a Never Ending Story.

Disaster took place some 5 years ago and up we go for the next 5.
Wanna bet?