Power outage keeps Madura in the dark

By Ainur R. Sophiaan

PAMEKASAN, East Java (JP): The island of Madura entered on Monday its 11th day without electricity following damage to the main underwater power cables connecting the island with Gresik in Java.

Now, as soon as dark approaches, villages and cities on the island become lifeless places. Only rarely do residents venture on to the streets after dusk as public transportation is almost non-existent.

A provisional assessment by the state electricity company PLN of the East Java distribution network has stated the cables broke because they were snagged by MV Kota Indah, a Singaporean-flagged ship as it cast anchor in the vicinity. The ship reportedly then changed position as it was caught by a strong wind.

A source told The Jakarta Post the network had actually five main cables, designed in such a way that if one was dysfunctional the others could take over.

However, in 1996, three of the cables were damaged and have not been repaired since. It was the remaining two cables that were damaged recently, thus cutting off power completely.

Residents then rushed to buy kerosene lanterns as their main source of light. Wealthier people have bought petromaks, a kerosene pressure lantern which produces brighter light.

"I do not understand this blackout... I thought it was only a short-term affair," Suminah Daim, a mother of four in Pasongsongan in Pamekasan district, complained. "Now the children can't recite the Koran, nor can they study although this is examination week."

"Nobody dares go out at night, It is very dark," Suminah said.

Even Pamekasan, the busiest town on Madura, has turned into a ghost city. The streets which used to be illuminated by neon signs are now a shadow of their former selves as most shopowners prefer to close as dark approaches.

The exceptions are a few shops using mini-power generators.

"If this situation continues, I will go bankrupt. My income is dwindling while the economic crisis shows no signs of ending. This is a big catastrophe, sir!" said Matsali, a minibus driver plying the Pamekasan-Kamal route on the night shift.

The only available fuel for illumination is kerosene. Because of the drastically increased demand, however, it has suddenly become scarce and the price has soared.

Kerosene used to cost Rp 400 a liter. However it has gone up to Rp 1,000 and even Rp 1,500 in remote rural areas like the Modung district in Bangkalan regency, the Talang district in Pamekasan and the Batangdaya district, Sumenep.

The state oil company Pertamina has actually increased the supply of kerosene by 50 percent. Last Sunday there was an abnormal shipment of 270 metric tons.

According to Didik Hariadi, acting head of Pertamina's distribution network in East Java, the daily supply to Madura is now 350 to 450 tons. An additional fleet of 47 trucks is needed.

"We hope that with the additional supply there will be no further scarcity of kerosene. We also hope that the distribution system and price will return to normal," he said.

Administration

No less dejected is the regional government. Bangkalan regent Mohammad Fatah has become furious at how his office work has become hampered.

The water company does not function. Hospitals give reduced service. Economic activities have stagnated.

"The residents here have suffered a very sad mental and material loss," he said in the company of three other regents of Madura and after meeting with East Java Governor Imam Utomo last week.

In Bangkalan alone there are about 100 government and private- sector offices each needing a generator rented in Surabaya. Daily rental is Rp 250,000.

"Calculate how much it will cost the offices just for one month," he said.

Governor Imam Utomo, who recently paid a visit to the areas in darkness, is worried that the situation may trigger social unrest.

Last Wednesday officials from four regencies in Madura held a special discussion in Sampang on the social impact of the blackout. It was said the blackout might continue until the general election on June 7.

"If the problem is not immediately solved, it is highly probable there will be social upheavals," the governor said.

How long will the blackout last?

Even PLN finds it difficult to answer this question.

At least one is needed for investigation into the causes of the rupture. The subsequent repair phase will also require a lot of time and spare parts must be ordered from France.

"PLN is very concerned and will solve the problem in the shortest possible time," said Hizban Ahmad, PLN head of power distribution in East Java.

As short-term measures, PLN will, for example, send 5-megawatt generators to Madura from its depots in Central Java, West Java, East Java and Jakarta. In addition PLN will hire a 40-megawatt generator set from a private company.

Only, Hizban said, his company needs half a month to install all the substitute equipment. "We will spend any amount of money to solve the problem," he promised.

The PLN has 281,000 subscribers in Madura, bringing in an annual revenue of Rp 39 billion approximately.

Nevertheless, Salamun, an employee of the Bangkalan General Hospital, told the Post he was pessimistic about restoration of power.

Meanwhile chief of the Brawijaya Military Command Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, who oversees East Java, has refuted growing speculation of political sabotage behind the power outage.

"There was no sabotage. It is caused by neglect arising from our lack of discipline. It has to do with poor adherence to the regulations of marine traffic in the Madura Strait," he said in Surabaya.