The Jakarta Post, August 25 2015,
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo promised on Tuesday that the government would finalize compensation for victims of the Lapindo mudflow by the end of September.
Jokowi said that the Rp 767 billion (US$54.5 million) compensation fund would be disbursed from the state budget and had been approved by the House of Representatives.
“My target is for it all to be paid by the end of September,” he said, as quoted by Antara news agency.
The President also expressed hope that all related stakeholders could work together to complete the administrative process for the compensation payments.
“I have said to ministers and to the head of Sidoarjo Mudflow Handling Agency (BPLS) and to the governor and the regent, do not postpone the payment,” Jokowi said.
Jokowi also called on Sidoarjo residents to spend the money wisely.
“Each family will receive an average of Rp 300 million. That’s a large amount. Please do not spend it all on consumptive things. Use it for something useful,” he said.
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