23 NGOs demand removal of PT BA?s new management

At least 23 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) based in South Sumatra have threatened to blockade the railway for the transportation of coal firm PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam, if their demand to replace the company?s new management with career people from within the company is not met.

Media Indonesia reported on Wednesday that the ultimatum was issued during a press conference in Palembang on Tuesday.

?We are consistent in opposing the new management. The local people should be given opportunity to solve the problem in accordance with the regional autonomy law,? Edwar Jaya, the chairman of the Sriwijaya Youth Council.

They said that the coal company?s new executive board which comprises of Ismet Hermaini, former director of PT Semen Padang as the new president, Sukrisno as the director for operation and production), Abd Aziz Nazori as finance director, AC Purba as director for techniques and Mahmub Iskandar as director for general affairs is not based on business consideration.

Edwar said that only AC Purba is the career worker, who in the previous management held the same position, while the others are outsiders who have no relations at all with the coal mining company.

The NGOs said the government is given 10 days to meet their demand, if not they will blockade the railroad, which is used by the company to transport its coal to Lampung province, the transit point before being shipped to its buyers. (*)