Blackout continues in Kupang, S. Timor Tengah
Blackout continues in Kupang, S. Timor Tengah
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang
Muslims and Christians in Kupang and South Timor Tengah will
not likely be able to celebrate Idul Fitri and Christmas because
the state-owned electricity company PT PLN has yet to restore
power in the two regencies.
PLN's Bali operations, which serve West and East Nusa
Tenggara, must repair four damaged power generators that broke
down in August.
Eris M.T. Gultom, chief of PLN's local office, said the
rotating blackout would continue until next June if the power
generators could not be repaired by January.
"PLN management apologizes to all people in the two regencies
because of the inconveniences triggered by the blackout," he said
here on Wednesday, expressing regret that the situation will
affect people during the holiday season.
All subdistricts in the two regencies and Kupang city have
been supplied electricity on an alternating basis since August.
In Kupang city, several subdistricts have been receiving
electricity from 6 a.m. local time until 6 p.m., while several
others have been receiving their electricity supply from 6 p.m.
through 6 a.m.
Abdul Harris, a local Muslim resident, voiced dismay that
Muslims could not participate in religious gatherings and prayers
in their mosques because of the power shortage.
"It is not enough for PLN to apologize," he said. "The company
should compensate their consumers if it fails to complete the
repair work as soon as possible."
Gulielmus Beribe, a legislator for the local chapter of the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
condemned PLN.
"PLN should be held responsible for material losses caused by
the blackout," he said.
The local chapter of the Foundation of Indonesian Consumers
Foundation (YLKI) and 69 lawyers in the city have recently filed
a class-action lawsuit against PLN in Kupang District Court over
losses incurred by the situation.
"PLN must pay compensation for any material losses local
consumers have suffered from the blackout," said Nixon Bunga,
chair of the legal team that submitted the lawsuit.