Balongan refinery on high alert as protests worsen

By Godang Sitompul

Street demonstrations entered a second day Thursday and continued to disrupt operation at the Mundu field in Indramayu, now putting activities at nearby Balongan refinery in jeopardy.

The protesters blocked access to refinery unit (RU) Balongan, leaving workers inside the facility stranded, PT Pertamina EP Communications Manager Agus Amperianto said.

?This morning I received information from the Mundu field that the protesters were becoming more violent. Now they are blocking the entry point to RU Balongan using pipes belonging to the company,? Agus told petromindo.com.

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He expressed concerns over workers who have been trapped inside the facility since Wednesday.

Separately, operator of the Balongan facility Pertamina is on high alert.

?Operation at the refinery remains normal at present. We are in coordination with the police and hope that this demonstrations end as soon as possible,? VP Corporate Communications Ali Mudakir told petromindo.com.

Editing by Dadan Wijaksana