Church leaders join opposition to TPL reopening

Church leaders join opposition to TPL reopening

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan

Representatives from 13 churches grouped under the National
Committee of Lutheran World Federation (KN LWF) have urged the
government and security forces to listen to the aspirations of
local people who reject the reopening of the pulp and sawmill
plant PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL), the new name of troubled PT
Inti Indorayon Utama (IIU).

They also demanded that police release two church ministers
arrested during a protest outside the Porsea district office on
Nov. 21.

"The government must listen to the aspirations and demands of
local people before opening Toba Pulp. The government and the
security forces must protect society, not taking repressive
measures to back the operation of Toba Pulp," Rev. J.R. Hutauruk
said in a statement.

KN LWF consists of 13 churches from across the country. They
are the Batak Protestant (HKBP) in Tarutung, GKPI in
Pematangsiantar, GKPS in Pematangsiantar, HKI in Pematangsiantar,
GKPA in Padangilitan, GKPPD in Sidikalang, GPKB in Jakarta, GPP
in Medan, GKPM in Mentawai, ONKP in Gunungsitoli, BNKP in Nias
and AMIN in Nias.

Hutauruk said the clash outside the Porsea district office on
Nov. 21 was because of miscommunication between the government
and the society.

Sixteen residents, including two church ministers, were
arrested during the incident.

Hundreds of local people staged a demonstration on Nov. 21 to
protest the resumption of operations at TPL following the
government's decision to temporarily halt its operation due to
environmental and social problems.

Local people, backed by nongovernmental organizations and
several churches, have rejected the sawmill's operation as they
fear it would result in environmental and social damage.

According to Hutauruk, the government was not transparent in
giving information to the people.

Separately, chairman of the Indonesian Communion of Churches
(PGI) for North Sumatra, Rev. Willem T.P. Simarmata said a dialog
among those who support and reject the project was needed.

He emphasized that the quality of life of Porsea residents had
been increasing since the closure of PT Inti Indorayon Utama
(IIU). Therefore, he said, this must be taken into consideration.

Willem suggested that the government withdraw its plan to
reopen PT TPL.

A legislator with the Provincial Legislature (DPRD) Viktor
Simarmata said he was opposed to a plan to reopen Toba Pulp in
Porsea.

He added there was no other way to resolve this problem, but
to find another location for the project.

"If the government insists upon opening Toba Pulp, it will be
better if the company's directors, Manpower Minister Jacob Nuwa
Wea, and officials are forced to live in this village. They will
then feel what the people have felt," Viktor added.

Meanwhile, Willem suggested that the government should not
intervene in order to open the sawmill, if an agreement between
the company and the people could not be reached.

The government's insistence to reopen Toba Pulp would likely
create many fatalities as the area would erupt in mob rioting
very easily.

Commenting on the detention of two church ministers -- Miduk
Sirait and Sarmah Siregar -- Willem demanded that the security
force change their status to "city arrest".

He added that a city arrest would enable them to meet their
congregations over Christmas.

"Both priests celebrated the recent Advent while in detention.
We hope they can be freed for Christmas," he added.