Minister to mediate road ban dispute in South Sumatra

By Bambang Atmaja

Industry Minister MS Hidayat said on Thursday that he would mediate the conflict between miners and policymakers on road ban that had led financial loss of about Rp15 billion per day since Jan. 1.

South Sumatra administration has issued a policy banning trucks carrying mining products, particularly coal, from public roads since Jan. 1.

"I promise to mediate it soon next week," Hidayat told Petromindo.com at the State Palace.

"I can understand, and I will hear from both sides, it is not allowed to bring shortages for one or both sides," he said when asked about the complaints of miners and other business sectors.

The minister said that he would prefer to avoid bringing the case to the local parliament.

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora