What does nuke power mean to Muria people?

What does nuke power mean to Muria people?

By Y. Tri Subagya

JAKARTA: The government's plan to build a dozen nuclear reactors on the Muria peninsula has become a warm topic among the community. Some are for it, some are against it.

On one side, there are those who insist it be immediately constructed to fulfill the national energy needs. On the other side, many are still concerned about the dangers of nuclear power, especially in an earthquake-prone region.

The differing opinions are difficult to judge, because both sides have persuasive arguments to make.

The talks on the plant to be built in the Jepara regency, Central Java however, seem to be still dominated only by government officials and the intellectual circle. This is understandable, since nuclear technology remains foreign to the community at large.

Talks on the plant get their share among intellectuals through discussions, workshops and seminars.

Ironically, common people and even the local community will be the host to the project tend to be in a static and tense position. Nuclear technology lies beyond their knowledge and reflection though they are the first to be affected directly by the project.

This is not only true for the community in Muria but also for the people living near a dump for radioactive waste. They are the ones facing the biggest risk.

Social dimension

Since a nuclear power plant is not just a technological challenge but has social implications, the government formed an inter-ministerial team on social responses in 1990.

This central government team was followed by the formation of a Nuclear Power Plant Socialization Task Force at the regency level in Muria.

Community members have also visited the Center for the Development of Science and Technology (Puspiptek) at Serpong, West Java. The visit, according to an official, was very timely since the people got first-hand knowledge about nuclear energy which made it less scary.

However they were only shown one side of the picture -- the potential advantages for industry -- while the dangers were not disclosed.

Research I did on the Muria Peninsula in 1992, revealed that the Nuclear Power Plant is seen as a thing which will bring both good and evil.

Hardship

Some Muria residents who still remembered the hardships when they opened the village believe that the implementation of the project will mean that they will be forced to leave their hometown.

They still did not know how big the needed location is but they knew that foundation and feasibility studies done by the main consultant NewJec Inc. were being conducted along the 25 kilometer shoreline between Ujung Piring and Ujung Watu.

The restlessness can be felt especially among the elders who think gloomily about the time they are going to be forced to leave.

On the other hand, the presence of the project is perceived to bring prosperity to the surrounding communities. Muria peninsula which at present is a farming and fishery area, is expected to instantly change into a modern city with ultra modern nuclear power.

Then there are those who are indifferent to the project since their daily problems are already burdensome. They chose to stay clear of the discussion about the project by leaving it to the authorities, and believe the ultimate decision lies with God.

They believed the government will not let the people suffer. Should that prove to be illusion, they give up to the power of God.

The writer is a researcher with the Jakarta-based National Consortium for Nature and Forest Conservation in Indonesia (Konphalindo), a research, training and documentation center on environmental and development issues in Indonesia.

-- Berita Bumi