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President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ordered a full
investigation Wednesday into the operation of gas exploration company
PT Lapindo Brantas in Sidoarjo, East Java, after a massive gas well
accident sickened local residents and disrupted industry.
Most of the hundreds of displaced residents living near the drilling
site in Siring village have complained of respiratory difficulties
after inhaling foul-smelling sulfuric gas discharged together with a
huge mudflow that began May 29.
"I want an investigation so that all business ventures in our country
are carried out in accordance with the existing laws and mechanisms,"
Yudhoyono said.
"There's a need to see if there has been any negligence in order to
reach a fair resolution."
Yudhoyono lamented the pollution's effect on the lives of farmers,
whose rice fields have been inundated by the toxic mud, and the
displacement of residents.
A number of nearby factories, employing thousands of workers, have also
been forced to stop operation.
"Whatever measures are taken by the central administration, the company
and related ministries, (they) must be done fast and seriously. Prevent
the pollution from spreading by all means possible," he said, adding
that affected residents should receive appropriate compensation.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said a team
from his office was conducting an investigation at the site, including
examining the original documents on its exploration plans.
"We'll see if Lapindo is complying with the initial proposal and design
(when the exploration license was granted). All exploration works have
been reported to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Body, and we'll just
compare the proposal and the activities now," he said.
For the time being, Purnomo said the government was taking measures to
prevent the pollution from spreading and from causing greater losses to
local communities.
"Technically, we are trying to stop the source of the gas and the mud.
We've also evacuated the people. Lapindo said it is prepared to handle
the residents there," he said.
Purnomo said the House of Representatives had given his office two
weeks to investigate the pollution and identify those responsible.
"If it is Lapindo that's causing this, it will then have to be legally
settled. The company said the mudflow was triggered by the (Yogyakarta)
recent quake, but we don't want to rush and we'll see what the
independent team comes up with," he said.
Mudflow from the drilling site continued to increase Wednesday,
discharging white, foul-smelling clouds of gas.
Most residents complain of breathing difficulties, headaches and
stomach pains.
Data at Bayangkara Hospital in Porong district showed more than 538
patients had been treated for breathing problems, of which 44 were
hospitalized.
Locals say they are facing food shortages due to inequitable
distribution of assistance, forcing them to beg for money from passing
motorists and the curious taking a look at the mudflow.
At least 150 residents, mostly men, suffering from a lack of food are
from Jatirejo village. They have stayed behind to guard their property,
but are only eating once a day.
They said they were dependent on members of the public providing them
with rice and vegetables.
Villager Suwarno explained that the situation was worsened by the
difficulty of obtaining clean water because their wells with full of mud.
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