Minister calls for negotiations to settle mining disputes

Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on the East Kalimantan people to settle their dispute with mining investors in the province through negotiations, Kaltim Post reported.

Bambang said the demands of the local people should be properly address by the mining investors in the province but he warned the people to make realistic demands based on facts and evidences.

"The public should be taken care of. If they demand for community development programs and (the demand) is reasonable, please help them. Give them aid," visiting Bambang told reporters in East Kalimantan's town of Balikpapan.

The statement came amid growing disputes between the local people and mining investors in the province over various issues, including land compensation, the mining investors' care for the promotion of the local people's welfare and others.

The people, who remained silent during the authoritarian rule of former President Soeharto, have become aggressive, demanding a lot of things after the downfall of Soeharto in 1998 and evolving freedom of speech.

Bambang called on the public to settle the dispute amicably through negotiations. (*)