Kutai Kertanegara administration criticizes coal mining firms

Deputy regent of the Kutai Kertanegara Regency in East Kalimantan Samsuri Aspar strongly criticized the six coal mining firms operating in the area because of their lack of attention in protecting the environment and in helping to improve the welfare of the local people.

The criticism was launched during a presentation meeting Tuesday with the six companies including PT Fajar Bumi Sakti, PT Multi Harapan Utama and its contractor PT PAMA, PT Anugrah Bara Kaltim, PT Tonito Harum, PT Kitadin, and PT Bukit Baiduri Enterprise.

Samsuri was quoted by the local Kaltim Post daily as saying that the coal mining firms should boost its community development program including by recruiting more local workers, helping the education of children from poor families, and helping to develop local small enterprises.

He said that the companies had taken millions of tons of coal from the area (*)