Skip to main content

Indonesian mudflow damages claim fails


INDONESIA's environment watchdog has failed in its efforts to have responsibility for the disastrous mudflows that began in Java 18 months ago slated home to the Banjar Panji drilling joint venture. About 6000 villagers living close to Indonesia's second city of Surabaya in eastern Java had to be relocated after mud began flowing from deep underground.

The disaster has already cost millions of dollars, and experts believe the costs could rise substantially. The mudflows have led to claim and counter-claim as to who is responsible, and complaints that the Indonesian Government is not doing enough to resolve the issues, including providing compensation for the thousands whose livelihoods have been destroyed. Australian oil and gas exploration and production company Santos said yesterday the South Jakarta District Court had handed down a decision on proceedings brought by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WAHLI) on the mudflows.

Santos is a non-operating 18per cent partner in the Brantas Production Sharing Contract in which the Banjar Panji well was being drilled when mud began flowing in late May last year. The other partners are Indonesian companies PT Lapindo Brantas and PT MedcoEnergi. PT Lapindo Brantas is owned by members of the politically well-connected Bakrie family, one of Indonesia's richest business dynasties. WAHLI began legal action in February involving the Brantas partners, the Indonesian Government and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and several other government and provincial officials, alleging major environmental damage from the mudflows. In its claim, WAHLI demanded the Indonesian Government direct PT Lapindo Brantas to allocate a budget and resources to overcome the mudflows and tackle the environmental damage they caused. The claim also sought to have the damaged environment restored to its original condition.

Santos said yesterday the Brantas PSC partners had successfully defended all claims brought against them. The company noted that WALHI had 14 days to appeal to a higher court.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

If Soeharto became National Hero

Three short years after his death, Indonesia's dictator Suharto has been   nominated to a shortlist to be designated a "National Hero." The final decision   rests with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. and any honors will likely be   announced on November 10, Heroes’ Day. President Obama is scheduled to visit  Indonesia around that date.  After Suharto died in January 2008, Indonesia's former dictator General Suharto   has died in bed and not in jail, escaping justice for his numerous crimes in   East Timor and throughout the Indonesian archipelago. One of the worst mass   murderers of the 20th century, his death tolls still shock... We cannot forget that the United States government consistently supported   Suharto and his regime. As the corpses piled up after his coup and darkness   descended on Indonesia, his cheerleaders in the U.S. welcomed the "gleam of   light in Asia." In the pursuit of realpolitik, U.S. administration a...
2 comments
Read more

MUI Says Al-Qiyadah Al-Islamiyah is Misleading

The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) said Al-Qiyadah al-Islamiyah, which first appeared in 2000, is a misleading sect. The decision was taken after MUI researched the organization for the last three months."Up to 2006, this sect wasn't brave enough to appear. But starting in 2007, they bluntly spread their lessons to the public," MUI Chairman, K.H. Ma'ruf, told the press yesterday (4/10). For a sect that is only seven years old, he viewed, its progress is rapid. The structure is in order and the leaders easily attract public sympathy. Al-Qiyadah's leader, Ahmad Moshaddeq, whose real name is Haji Salam, said he was an apostle since July 23, 2007 after ascetic meditation for 40 days and nights in Bunder Mount, Bogor, West Java. "They even changed Islam to existing apostle or prophet after Muhammad, that is Masih Al-Mau'ud," said Ma'ruf.For gaining devotees, according to Ma'ruf, Ahmad promised rewards of a motorcycle for those who can recruit 40 ...
1 comment
Read more

Blasphemy in the name of religion

The Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) wishes to bring the attention of the Human Rights Council (HRC) to violations of the right to the freedom of expression and opinion that are being engendered through the use of Indonesia’s legal provisions prohibiting blasphemy. Religious blasphemy is prohibited in Indonesia under Law No. 1/PNPS/1965, with such provisions also being later adopted within the Penal Code (KUHP) under Article 156a. Paragraph (a) of this article uses vague language, which opens the door to abusive uses of this provision, to prohibit any acts and expression of views considered to be blasphemous, and carries a maximum punishment of five years imprisonment. A similar maximum punishment is also carried by paragraph (b) of the article, which prohibits any acts and expression of views calling for others to embrace atheism. Alexander Aan is an atheist currently undergoing a trial at the Muaro Sijunjung District Court, West Sumatra. According to his lawyers from ...
Post a Comment
Read more