Riau people threaten to take over PT CPI

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)