MUD SLINGING: Villagers from Kedung Bendo, Sidoarjo, East Java, protest in front of the Sidoarjo meeting hall Tuesday about the inundation of their homes by massive amounts of mud from a mudflow accident. About 3,000 demonstrators demanded Lapindo Brantas Inc. compensate them for the loss of their homes, and urged the local government to ensure their welfare ahead of the rainy season.
Thousands of people displaced by the mudflow disaster in East Java held protests in two affected areas Tuesday to demand compensation commensurate with their losses.
Several protesters showed their frustration by covering themselves in the mud that has gushed from an exploration well accident in Sidoarjo regency since May 29.
"We're not eels which can live in mud," said a villager of Kedung Bendo, Hadi Purnomo, one of around 3,000 people rallying near the local administration building.
"We're humans with a right to live. Our children need to go to school and live in peace."
The turnpike connecting the provincial capital of Surabaya to Gempol town was closed for several minutes when protesters from the Besuki area blocked traffic. Alternating lanes are being closed for the ongoing work of raising two kilometers of the worst-hit section to prevent mud flowing onto the turnpike.
The company which operates the well, Lapindo Brantas Inc., has begun to distribute compensation to affected families, consisting of Rp 5 million (US$551.5) for rent for two years, Rp 500,000 for moving costs and Rp 300,000 per head per month. Many residents have rejected the offer as inadequate for their needs.
On Tuesday, East Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Herman Surjadi Sumawiredja said the deployment of police personnel in affected areas was a "persuasive" action to prevent outbreaks of violence among residents. "We're all suffering here," he said.
Protests have taken place almost on a daily basis. On Tuesday demonstrators reiterated accusations that the local authorities were being bribed by Lapindo, partly owned by the family of Aburizal Bakrie, who is the coordinating minister for the people's welfare.
"The mud will stop when corruption stops in the bureaucracy," one of the posters said.
"I am not a puppet of Lapindo," Sidoarjo deputy regent Saiful Illah assured residents at the legislative council hall. "In the name of Allah I have not committed corruption.
"I could be hit by a car if I'm lying. Everything I'm doing is for the victims."
He added the regency would give full support to residents if they wished to sue Lapindo.
"We're now prioritizing prevention measures before the rainy season comes (forecast for November) by building disposal systems and strengthening the ponds."
Lapindo is paying for all contingency measures, such as the preparation of a new dam to accomodate the daily increase of the mudflow, estimated to reach at least 4 million cubic meters by the end of the month.
Victims are divided about the appropriate measures. Thousands have demanded an immediate end to the inundation of populated areas by diverting the untreated mud into the sea. However, the fishing community has raised concerns about the future of thousands of shrimp farms in Sidoarjo.
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