Bentala Coal accused of damaging local environment

Around 100 villagers of the Ambakiang village in North Hulu Sungai district, South Kalimantan, have sent a letter to the local parliament protesting the environmental damaged caused by the operation of coal mining firm PT Bental Coal Mining.

The villagers also said that the environmental destruction had killed their cash crops including rubber plants.

The commission D of the Hulu Sungai district House of Representatives recently made a visit to the mining site of Bentala and held a discussing with the protesting villagers.

But the legislators could continue the plans to inspect the mining site due to the poor condition of the road amid the heavy rainfall.

The legislators were also disappointed when Bentala Coal only sent one people to represent the company at the gathering with the protesting villagers. (R. Amoros)