Governor asks for unpaid compensation

Governor asks for unpaid compensation

AMBON, Maluku: Governor Saleh Latuconsina submitted a letter
of inquiry to state-owned insurance company PT Jasa Raharja on
Tuesday, because the company has yet to compensate the families
of Masnait passengers who drowned when the boat sank on May 7,
1999.

The head of Maluku's transportation office Bob Halattu told
reporters on Tuesday that the letter followed demands from his
office for the company to pay Rp 5 million (US$526) to families
of the victims.

The boat sank in Tanjung Tial waters on its way from Gudang
Garang to Waipirit, leaving at least 39 people killed, 46 injured
and dozens more missing.

According to the company's Ambon branch manager, Theo van
Harling, the company had never avoided its responsibility.

"But regarding the situation here, the compensation is under
administration process, he said. (49/hdn)