Purworejo people refuse resettlement

YOGYAKARTA: Opposing official suggestions, most people living in landslide-hit districts in Purworejo regency expressed their reluctance to be resettled, a geologist said on Friday.

Dwikora Karnawati, leader of the geological team in charge of briefing the residents on the relocation program, told Antara that they turned down the offer to be relocated for various reasons.

"After briefing Bagelen district residents, we learned that they are unwilling to move. They said they loved living there," said Dwikora. "They urged the government to help them with detailed information on how to treat the landslide-prone land."

The residents also asked what kind of vegetation to plant to help prevent more landslides.

A landslide in Purworejo regency killed at least 50 people and destroyed villages in three districts earlier this month.

Purworejo regent Marsaid suggested that the residents be resettled as the areas were uninhabitable. The suggestion then gained support from Central Java governor Mardiyanto.(sur)