Residents storm factory accused of polluting the water supply

I.D. Nugroho, The Jakarta Post/Pasuruan

Amid recent reports of alleged mercury contamination at Buyat Bay in South Minahasa regency, North Sulawesi, residents of Karang Rejo subdistrict in Pasuruan regency, East Java, plugged up on Monday a waste outflow channel belonging to chemical producer PT Sorino Corporation.

The incident erupted on Monday morning when over 1,000 angry residents stormed down to the company's factory on Jl. Raya Gempol in Pasuruan upon suspicions that chemical waste and by- products from the company had polluted the local water supply.

The company produces sorbitol, a hyperosmotic laxative used to treat constipation.

Upon seeing the mob of residents approach, security guards with Sorino established a human cordon, preventing them from breaking into the premises.

At first, the residents protested in front of the factory gates, demanding that Sorino executives meet with them. A few minutes later, assuming that the demand was ignored, the mob began shoving against the cordon of security guards.

Outnumbered, the residents easily broke through the cordon and began throwing construction materials and wood into the waste channel.

"We wanted the chemical factory to shut down the waste channel, but they refused. So we have been forced to shut it down by force," said Yusuf, the coordinator of the protest.

The factory has allegedly been dumping chemical waste and by- products into the local river since its establishment in 1986.

In the early years of its operation, local residents did not express any concerns over the chemical waste. This year, however, they began complaining about the pollution of the local rivers and artesian wells.

The well water turned reddish, they said, and they could no longer consume the water for fear they would fall ill. Karang Rejo residents were thus forced to buy water from mobile water vendors.

Aside from the river and wells, the protesters claimed local paddies had also been affected by the water pollution.

"Local farmers couldn't bring in a harvest, as the plants had died of water pollution," said Yusuf.

Sorino executives refused to speak to journalists about the issue.

"The executives of the company are not available for interviews," a security guard told The Jakarta Post.

A source at the company said Sorino planned to build a waste processing facility, but the residents had jumped the gun and forcibly closed down the waste channel.