Residents decry gas station

JAKARTA (JP): Residents in a densely populated area in Bintara Jaya subdistrict in Bekasi are calling for the closure of a liquefied petroleum gas station, claiming it was established through collusion between its owners and city officials.

Local community figure Ateh H. Agustik told Antara that based on the building license -- No.07/645/Bappeda issued by the Bekasi Regional Development Agency on March 11, 1994 -- empty plots of land surrounded the gas station owned by privately run company PT Bumindo Gasutama.

He said in reality it was constructed on the edge of two residential complexes built in 1980.

Local residents have sent a letter expressing their opposition to the president of state oil and gas company Pertamina, urging him to stop the operation of the station.

Ateh said residents' main fear concerned the possibility of fire, particularly in an outbreak of unrest.

"We are uneasy as we're still haunted by last year's massive May riots where many residents were forced to guard the facility for fear of it being ignited by rioters," he said.

Residents, he added, also were disturbed by the many vehicles, including tanker trucks, which used the station. (hhr)