Kutai Kartanegara govt backs Kitadin in a dispute with villagers

The Kutai Kartanegara regency administration in East Kalimantan reiterated that the recent flood in the Seberang subdistrict was not caused by the coal mining activities of PT Kitadin Banpu, but due to natural causes particularly heavy rainfall, the local Kaltim Post daily reported on Tuesday.

The paper quoted regency administration secretary Indra as saying that Kitadin Banpu had carried out its mining activities in line with approved mining plan.

"This is our stance," he said, adding that this was based on an investigation by a government team.

Around 150 villagers from Kertabuana since last week had blockaded the operation of Kitadin Banpu, forcing the company to stop its coal production. The protesters demanded compensation for the environmental damage such as flood caused by the mining operation. The paper did not say whether the blockade still continue.

During the past months, the Kertabuana village has been hit by flood twice: on April 9 and on May 9.

Asked whether the government would persuade Kitadin to negotiate about the compensation as demanded by the villagers, Indra said that it would be up to the company.

Local lawmakers have previously called on Kitadin to talk to the villagers about compensation in a bid to end the blockade.(*)