More residents complain over electric cables<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): About 30 people representing 84 families in
\nKampung Dukuh, Ciledug, Tangerang, complained to the House of
\nRepresentatives yesterday about high voltage cables over their
\nhouses.<\/p>\n
The complaint was made following similar protests stage by 120
\nfamilies of the nearby Ciledug Indah housing complex.<\/p>\n
The Kampung Dukuh residents were received by several members
\nof the Golkar faction of Commission VI overseeing mines and
\nenergy.<\/p>\n
Husni, spokesman for the complainants, said they had been
\nrestless since the state-owned electricity company (PLN)
\nactivated the electric current on the 500,000-volt cables over
\ntheir houses on Nov. 25.<\/p>\n
He said the residents had actually decided to move to a safer
\nplace when they heard of the electric cable project last year. In
\nAugust 1993, the residents asked PLN to acquire their land and
\nhouses.<\/p>\n
In response to the request, PLN promised to raise the towers
\nso it would be safe for the residents to live there, Husni said.
\nHe told the House members that PLN would relocate people living
\ncloser than 8.5 meters to the cables.<\/p>\n
PLN, however, has yet to raise the towers or relocate
\nresidents who have cables too close to their roofs, Husni said.<\/p>\n
In accordance with the market price, the residents yesterday
\ndemanded compensation as much as Rp 250,000 for each square meter
\nof land and Rp 300,000 per square meter for buildings.<\/p>\n
The complainants said they believed their lives are in danger
\nas a current tester lighted up if touched to the roofs of their
\nhouses.<\/p>\n
\"After it rained the tester lighted up when we touched it to a
\nbamboo pole or the string we use to hang clothes on,\" another
\nresident said.<\/p>\n
Ali Rasjidi, a deputy chairman of Commission VI, said the
\nhouse members are concerned about the situation and have promised
\nto discuss the matter with PLN.<\/p>\n
\"PLN employees might not be afraid living under high-voltage
\ncables, but it is understandable that you, as common people, are
\nrestless,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The House had earlier received similar complaints from
\nresidents of the nearby Ciledug Indah housing estate, who were
\nalso affected by the high voltage cables.<\/p>\n
The housing estate residents also lodged their complaints to
\nthe National Commission of Human Rights.<\/p>\n
In response to the complaints, the rights commission asked PLN
\nto turn off the current, which the company refused to do.<\/p>\n
PLN said the project was necessary for the distribution of
\nelectricity in a number of areas, including the Ciledug area.<\/p>\n
An official of PLN said that the height of the towers had been
\nraised from the original nine meters to 15 meters, and that it is
\nsafe living under the cables. (sim)<\/p>",
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