Mangunwijaya visits Kedungombo

BOYOLALI, Central Java: Noted Catholic priest Y.B Mangunwijaya has visited farmers living on a disputed plot designated as part of the controversial Kedungombo dam.

Naryomo, chief of the local socio-political office, said the authorities were not aware of the objective of the visit. "But it won't be a problem because it is an open area," he said.

Mangunwijaya threw his support behind the farmers during the conflict over the amount of compensation the state was to pay for their land.

The Supreme Court recently issued a decision, granting 34 farmers in the area a higher amount of compensation than that offered by the government. The state plans to demand a review of that decision. (har/par)