Japan urged to write off dam debt

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) said on Tuesday it had demanded the Japanese government abolish debt owed by the Indonesian government for the construction of the controversial Koto Panjang dam in West Sumatra.

Walhi executive director Longgena Ginting said the demand was part of a lawsuit filed against the Japanese government, which they said had ignored the fate of thousands of locals during the development of Koto Panjang dam from 1992 through 1997.

The Kota Panjang dam development, valued at 31 billion yen, had also destroyed the habitats of animals, including elephants.

He said the dam and its power plant, was intended to generate 114 megawatts (MW) of electricity but produced less than 30 MW of power. The trial will start on Thursday in Tokyo. -- JP