Rights commission to handle high voltage complaints<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights agreed
\nyesterday to go to the government with the complaints of
\nresidents affected by the construction of high voltage cables in
\ntheir areas.<\/p>\n
Commission member Roekmini Koesoemo Astoeti told leaders of
\nsix non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who represent the
\naffected residents that she would help find a solution to their
\nproblems if she has to bring it all the way to the minister.<\/p>\n
This is not the first time that such complaints have reached
\nthe commission. The commission's previous appeals to PT PLN, the
\nstate-owned electricity company, to resolve the problems were
\nlargely ignored.<\/p>\n
This time, Roekmini said she would take the matter to the
\nminister who supervises PLN.<\/p>\n
The six activists taking part in yesterday's meeting were
\nIfdal Kasim of the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy
\n(ELSAM), Sulaiman N. Sembiring of the Indonesian Center for
\nEnvironmental Law (ICEL), Nunna Widagdo of the International NGOs
\nForum on Indonesian Development (INFID), Leonard Simanjuntak of
\nthe Pelangi Foundation, Arimbi Horoepoetri of the Indonesian
\nForum for the Environment (Walhi) and Dadang Trisasongko of the
\nIndonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).<\/p>\n
Asmara Nababan of the rights commission also joined the
\ndiscussion.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, the NGO activists said there are at least
\nsix cases where the construction or presence of high voltage
\ncables are endangering or causing severe discomfort to residents.<\/p>\n
The residents are from Kiaracondong in Bandung, Singosari in
\nGresik, Sei Tuan in Deli Serdang, Ciledug in Tangerang, Waled in
\nCirebon, Kanayan and Koreng in Tarerang.<\/p>\n
The NGOs said the government should avoid building high
\nvoltage cables over residential areas, because such projects
\ncould be hazardous to one's health.<\/p>\n
In a press statement, the NGOs said many of these projects
\nlacked transparency and that people are not informed about them
\nin advance.<\/p>\n
Acknowledging the increasing demand for electricity in the
\ncountry, the NGOs said:<\/p>\n
"It is regrettable if this has to come at the expense of
\nviolating human rights. There have been cases of rights
\nviolations in the construction of electricity transmission
\nnetworks, such as the cases in Kiaracondong in Bandung and
\nSingosari in Gresik."<\/p>\n
In the case of Singosari, the 82 families have agreed to move
\nout provided that they are properly compensated.<\/p>\n
Among the health complaints often cited by residents were
\nheadaches, insomnia and other illnesses.<\/p>\n
And while experts are still debating whether these complaints
\noriginated from the high voltage cables, the mere presence of
\nthese cables has been creating a feeling of insecurity among the
\nresidents, the NGOs said. (03)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rights-commission-to-handle-high-voltage-complaints-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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