Villagers demand 30 percent of Kideco Jaya Agung's coal output
Friday, November 24 2000 - 04:00 AM WIB
Villagers in East Kalimantan are demanding 30 percent of South Korean coal firm Kideco Jaya Agung as compensation for the alleged sufferings caused by the company's operation on them.
Local daily Kaltim Post daily reported that the residents of five villages - that is Samurangau, Biu, Batu Kajang, Rantau Bintungan and Legai - claimed that they had been experiencing economic, social and political losses and pains since Kideco started its coal operation in the area eight years ago.
They demanded the company give them 30 percent of its coal output in compensation for the losses and pains and improve the area's rive to its former condition that they could use the river again for their daily activities.
The villagers have given the company three months to improve the river's condition.
The paper said the villagers had established an alliance with non-governmental organization Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN) to pressure the company to meet their demand. They had even met with the ministry of energy and mineral resources' coal director Suyartono on the issue.
According to the paper, Suyartono told the villagers that the ministry would form a joint team to verify the allegation that Kideco had polluted the river.
Regarding their demand for 30 percent of Kideco's coal output, Suyartono said the demand was too burdensome for the company and the company would suffer losses if it had to meet the demand.
Kideco produces about 7.3 tons of coal per year. (*)