Riau top alert, Badak readies an aircraft
Tuesday, October 9 2001 - 03:45 AM WIB
In Riau province, where giant oil company PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI) is operating, the police have been put in top alert, so that it would be able to act quickly should situation get worse.
Police guarded residences of expatriates in the province, especially Americans and Britons.
Nevertheless, no incidents had been reported.
CPI spokesman Poedyo Oetomo expressed his thanks to the police for guarding CPI operation and therefore, the company could continue their normal operation.
Other areas have also increased their security status. They include Aceh, West Nusa Tenggara, Irian Jaya and East Kalimantan, where foreign oil, gas and mining companies are operating.
In East Kalimantan, PT Badak Natural Gas Liquefaction had readied a Das-7 aircraft with capacity of transporting 48 passengers at its airport in Bontang.
"In case situation turn worse, the aircraft will be used to transport expatriates to Singapore," said Badak's spokesman Lukman Harun.
Meanwhile PT Unocal spokesman Suta Vijaya said the company had invited police to safeguard its offices and residential complexes. The company is still operating normally.
Currently, there are around 240 expatriates working with Unocal.
Meanwhile, in Irian Jaya, copper and gold mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia is operating normally, with additional security protection from local military unit.
Trikora (Irian Jaya) military spokesman Lt. Col. R Siregar said the military would give additional attention to security at Freeport operation.
PT Freeport corporate communications manager Mindo Pangaribuan, said Freeport was still operating normally.
Mining company PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara is also operating normally, according to its spokesman Iradati. Currently around 140 expatriates, or 3 percent of its workforce, working at the company. (*)