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)