NU leader: Lapindo’s interpellation should be continued

Jakarta, NU Online
General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Hasyim Muzadi said here Sunday that the interpellation on Lapindo mudflow in Porong, Sidoarjo, East Java should be continued.

He asserted the interpellation proposed by many members of House of Representatives (DPR) should be endorsed in finding any details of the uncertainties of the fate of the mudflow victims.<>

Hasyim admitted many mudflow victims had so far come to his office to express their complaints over the mudflow disaster.

“The condition of the (mudflow) victims has now been in emergency phase,” Hasyim said, adding that at about 80 percent of the victims had now been depressed and stressed.

He added, through their directly meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Yusuf Kalla, the mudflow victims had now relied their expectations on their administration.

Hasyim said, the interpellation on Lapindo mudflow proposed by the House of Representatives was aimed at stressing the government to be maximal in handling the hot mudflow and the victims.

On the incessant hot mudflow coming out from Lapindo Berantas` gas well in Sidoarjo, the legislators said the one-year-old problem was very serious as it had forced at least 21,000 people from 11 villages to flee their homes and had until now remained refugees.

The mud flood inundated 350 hectares of farming area, and 23 school buildings and at least 20 factories were forced to close down. Around 30 percent of the mudflow victims suffered from psychological problems.

The mudflow also inflicted financial losses amounting to around Rp7.6 trillion to East Java`s economy. (rif)