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.