Villagers demand land compensation from KPC

Coal mining giant PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) in East Kalimantan province faces another land compensation demand from a villager who claims ownership over some 1,050 ha of land in the Swara Barga area in Sangatta.

The local Jaya Post daily reported that Asikin, a villager of the Bengalon area, who claimed the land held a demonstration with dozens of other villagers at the East Kutai regent office.

Asikin demanded KPC to pay compensation for his land. He said that he wanted a similar treatment to the others who had been paid by KPC.

Asikin said that he had demanded for the land compensation since 1989. He warned that if KPC declined to immediately fulfill his demand, he would seize back the land by force and would turn it into a farming land.(*)