Riau people threaten to take over PT CPI

PEKANBARU, Riau (JP): Despite canceling their plan to blockade the oil operation of PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI), the people of Riau, represented by the Riau Alliance for the Control of Coastal Plains Pekanbaru (Aruk CPP) demanded on Thursday that all parties involved in the deal between the government and CPI respect the deal.

"Or we will take over PT CPI, not the CPP block," Aruk CPP coordinator Al Azhar told CPI management in a meeting at CPI's office here.

"Every item in the deal reached by state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, CPI and the Riau community on Tuesday (in Jakarta) must be fulfilled," Al Azhar said.

One of the items said that, after extending the contract of CPP oil block management to CPI for one year, the government would hand over the management of CPP block to the people of Riau.

He reiterated that Tuesday's deal must be published in a state gazette, or at least backed up by a Presidential decree.

The people of Riau had earlier threatened to blockade the oil operation of CPI on Thursday as an expression of their disappointment at not being awarded control of the CPP block.

However, a meeting of local figures on Wednesday, produced six recommendations, including the acceptance of Tuesday's deal and the cancellation of action.

The Riau people, represented by Aruk CPP then met with PT CPI management on Thursday to convey the six recommendations.

Al Azhar also said that Tuesday's deal should not be part of the community development programs that would or had been implemented by CPI. "The (Tuesday's) agreement is part of the process of the transfer of the CPP block management from CPI to the people of Riau."

Al Azhar and "his entourage" were received by CPI bosses, including its senior vice president in Jakarta, Wahyudin Yudiana, Sumatra Public Affairs Manager Djaty Susetya, General Affairs vice president A.H. Batubara and CPP Operation vice president Ismatullah Gan.

None of CPI's bosses were available for comment.

CPI's contract for the CPP block, which is managed by Pertamina, expired on Aug.8, but Pertamina extended the contract for another year. This provoked many local residents, who had long demanded full control of the management of the CPP block once the contract with Caltex was over.

Despite the blockade cancellation, the top alert status declared four days ago was still in effect to protect CPI's operation from possible vandalism, "until security is fully guaranteed. I don't know when that will be," Riau Police chief Brig. Gen. Jonny Yodjana said, when visiting PT CPI head office on Thursday.

Jonny also called on locals not to be easily provoked. "Don't take the law into your own hands. Whenever you notice something that could lead to a disturbance, just report it to the police."

Tight security was still in effect at the PT CPI office complex in Rumbai, Pekanbaru on Thursday with a large number of police and Army officers guarding the complex.

The company's security guards examined all visitors entering the compound and barricades were still seen blocking the road leading to the office complex. (37/sur)