Karawang farmers protest against Pertamina EP seismic survey

At least 65 farmers in Sumur bandung and Babakan Kaliaget, Pasirawi Village, Karawang Regency, West Java, have staged a demonstration, protesting against a seismic survey conducted by upstream unit of state owned oil, gas firm PT Pertamina EP, Kompas reported Monday

They warned that the survey project could not only lead to environmental damages but also affect their livelihood.

Budi Rahmat Iskandar, one of the farmers, said that local farmers also rejected Pertamina?s ways of implementing the project by erecting a pole on their land, drilling and exploding dynamites without prior notice.

They have sent a letter of protest to Pertamina EP, the upstream unit of Pertamina, and the reasons behind. "It was not about compensation but environmental protection and sustainable sources of livelihood," Budi said.

Pertamina EP's spokesman Mochamad Harun said Pertamina had been conducting a socialization program about the project to the people in Bekasi, Karawang and Subang since one of two months before the project started. The socialization program is expected to be finished by the end of this year. (*)