Victims of Bahorok flood want torist resort reopened
Apriadi Gunawan, Medan
Hundreds of Bahorok flood victims continued protesting here on Tuesday to demand clarification over some Rp 50 billion (US$6 million) in assistance promised by the central government for them last year.
They also urged the government to reopen the Bukit Lawang resort in Bahorok district, Langkat regency, North Sumatra, which was closed after a flash flood swept through the town on Nov. 2, 2003, leaving over 180 people dead and 80 others unaccounted for.
The protest was held at the North Sumatra Legislative Council, where representatives of the protesters met with senior legislators.
They staged a similar rally at the North Sumatra gubernatorial office on Monday, but they were not received by any official.
Governor T. Rizal Nurdin eventually scheduled a meeting with their representatives at his office on Wednesday.
The flood victims, who have been in Medan for two days, said they were extremely disappointed with Rizal's leadership due to the delay in rebuilding the devastated tourist area.
They urged the province's legislative council to immediately summon the governor over the delay.
In a response to the demands, the council's Commission V head Ronald Naibaho told the protesters that he would try his best to fight for the people's aspirations, so Bukit Lawang could be reopened soon.
He said the demands would be discussed during a meeting with the governor and Langkat Regent Syamsul Arifin on Wednesday.
"We promise to mediate in the meeting and urge the administration to act on their (the protesters') request immediately," Ronald said.
When asked to confirm the central government's promised aid of Rp 50 billion, Syamsul claimed that up to now, only Rp 25 billion of the total amount had been transferred to the Langkat regental administration.
"The money is still intact in the regency's coffers. We have not disbursed it because we're still waiting for instructions from the central government. The matter is still being discussed. We hope the funds will be well managed," he added.
A community leader from Bahorok, Alamsyah, accused the government of trying to shun local people in developing the resort in favor of large-scale projects.
Citing an example, he said the reconstruction plan for the area -- which was set forth by the regional infrastructure agency recently, could have a hidden agenda.
The concept was deliberately designed to pursue funds for large-scale projects in the area, he added.
"The concept has been approved by the central government and Rp 25 billion has been provided, but several months have passed without any action on the project," he told The Jakarta Post.
Bahorok district head Yusmalina said tourist arrivals at the resort have been on the rise in the last few weeks.
Dozens of foreign tourists visited the area each week, while domestic tourist arrivals could reach the hundreds, he added.
She expressed concern that the uncertain status of the area could affect tourist-related businesses there.