Activists question Unocal's contribution

Activists of the Institute of People Concerned with Environment (LMPLH), which is also called itself the Organization of Oil and Gas Victims, questioned the contributions of American oil and gas company Unocal to the promotion of the welfare of the villagers of Marangkayu, Rapak Lama and Terusan in Kutai regency, East Kalimantan.

LMPLH chairman Buherah also lashed out at Kutai regency's council for its plan to visit the villages to inspect the community development programs conducted by the company there.

"What are they going to see? (Unocal) has no activities there," Buherah told Kaltim Post on Wednesday during a visit to the paper's office.

Earlier, vice speaker of Kutai council M Rusmin said the council planned to inspect the results of the community development programs that had been conducted by Unocal over the past five years.

The company has said it had spent tens of millions of dollars for its community development program over the past five years, the paper said.

But, Buhera maintained Unocal had given no contribution to the promotion of the welfare of the people living around its operational sites. (*)