"There is no such thing as compensation."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Mining and energy commission member VII from the House of Representatives, Satya W Yudha, has requested the people to consider the hot mudslide crisis in Sidoarjo, East Java, from an impartial point of view.

"Stop this mudslide crisis from becoming a political case. It will only add to the aggravation of the people who were affected by the mudflow, as well as turn this case into an object for those who have not taken responsibility," Yudha said in Jakarta on Monday.

Satya asserted that an understanding of the background, the technical problem, the reason for the outburst and the Bakrie family`s involvement in providing a solution will bring a better understanding and awareness of the crisis we are facing.

According to Satya, the Bakrie family has shown a huge commitment towards solving the problem, even though it technically owns only 30 percent of the shares in PT Energi Mega Persada. The aforementioned company is one of several companies that have merged with PT Lapindo Brantas, the company whose drilling activities in the Sidoarjo region have been associated with the mudflow.

The moral commitment shown by the Bakrie family is evident in the purchase agreement of land and infrastructure from families who have been affected by the mudflow. These families have received up to 10 times the actual value of land tax in the region.

The certified land was priced at Rp1 million per square metre, while the infrastructures on land were priced at Rp1.5 million per square metre. Since 2006 to date, more than nine thousand families have completed the transaction, which will be finalised among the other families by this year.

"In this case of hot mudflow in Sidoarjo, there is no such thing as compensation. Instead, there are benefits," remarked Yudha, a member of the Golkar Party faction in the House of Representatives.
(Uu.AH /INE/KR-BSR/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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