Energy firms vow business as usual<\/p>\n
A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Regardless of the war in Iraq, which began yesterday morning,
\nseveral multinational energy companies operating in Indonesia say
\ntheir businesses are running as usual.<\/p>\n
They also underlined the fact that none of their expatriate
\nemployees had left Indonesia amid fears of anti-American
\ndemonstrations that may target them.<\/p>\n
Anang Rizkani Noor, deputy director for external relations at
\nAustralian mining firm PT Rio Tinto Indonesia, said the company
\nhad yet to execute any contingency plans despite the U.S.-led
\nattack on Iraq, saying that the situation here remained
\nfavorable.<\/p>\n
"We also believe that the domestic situation in the coming
\ndays will remain favorable, despite the war," Anang said.<\/p>\n
His optimistic view was attributed to the fact that Iraq war
\ncampaign, which had been drummed by the U.S. since last year, had
\nnot sparked any domestic reactions so far that could harm the
\ncompany's operations and its foreign employees.<\/p>\n
The companies also admitted that they had no special plans to
\nevacuate their expatriates, following the outbreak of war.<\/p>\n
In a written statement made available to the Post, U.S. oil
\nand gas giant ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc. acknowledged that
\n"currently, there are no plans to relocate employees or
\ndependents of the ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc."<\/p>\n
ExxonMobil Oil is operating in the war-torn province of Aceh
\nin north Sumatra and the Central Java town of Cepu.<\/p>\n
However, the companies are apparently ready to anticipate any
\nworst-case scenarios the war may cause to them and their staff,
\nespecially expatriate staff.<\/p>\n
Precautionary measures have long been a part of their standard
\noperating procedures, not just in response to a possible war,
\nthey said.<\/p>\n
PT Rio Tinto, for example, has set up emergency teams at both
\nthe company and its subsidiaries, including PT Kelian Equatorial
\nMining (KEM) and PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC).<\/p>\n
Both KEM and KPC are operating in East Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
"These teams always review current social and political
\ndevelopments in the country, and they are ready to anticipate
\npossible social problems that may harm the staff of the company,"
\nsaid Anang.<\/p>\n
These teams, for instance, had installed hotlines with local
\nair transportation companies, so in the case a disturbance broke
\nout, they could immediately take their employees to a safe
\nlocation, Anang said.<\/p>\n
U.S. oil company PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia, which operates
\nin Riau, had also taken similar measures.<\/p>\n
"We have coordinated with the local police to protect our
\ncompany and its people," said Renville Almatsier, the company's
\nspokesman.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, copper and gold mining company PT Newmont Nusa
\nTenggara expected that the government and police force could
\nsafeguard its operations in the wake of the Iraq war.<\/p>\n
"We believe the government and the police will ensure the
\nsafety of our staff and assets," said senior manager for external
\nrelations Robert Humberson, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/energy-firms-vow-business-as-usual-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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