The government has brushed aside ongoing protests by victims of the Sidoarjo, East Java, mudflow disaster over a compensation agreement reached on Wednesday, insisting the deal is final.

On Friday, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto said the deal, which obliges energy company

PT Lapindo Brantas Inc. to compensate villagers affected by the disaster, was agreed upon by representatives of the victims and the company during a negotiation mediated by the government-sanctioned Sidoarjo Mudflow Mitigation Agency (BPLS).

Under the agreement, Lapindo will pay monthly installments of Rp 30 million to each family until the payments are settled.

Each family is entitled to a certain amount of money that ranges depending on the value of their assets lost.

The families have been living in rented accommodation since their homes succumbed to a rising sea of hot mud late in May 2006.

The disbursement will begin this month and is expected to be completed by next April. The installment dates will also differ by family, depending on the due date of their rents.

In addition to the Rp 30 million, the families are also entitled to Rp 2.5 million to allow them to extend their rental period.

“Lapindo is unable to settle the outstanding compensation in one lump sum because of the current financial crisis. (The payment scheme) is all the company can afford to give. The victims should take it, otherwise the situation will worsen,” Djoko said.

“I think there will be no new negotiation. That was all.”

He maintained the payment scheme did not violate the 2007 presidential regulation on compensation for affected families, saying such a scheme was a compromise between the three parties at Wednesday’s negotiation.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla expressed hope the deal would work out well.

Representatives of the victims involved in the negotiation said they were satisfied with the agreement, despite initially demanding each family receive Rp 75 million to enable them to buy their own homes, with Lapindo only willing to pay Rp 15 million installments at first.

Despite the agreement, thousands of victims on Thursday staged a massive rally along the Porong highway in Sidoarjo, paralyzing the main road connecting Surabaya and Malang.

The protesters have also threatened to occupy Surabaya’s Juanda Airport.

Responding to the threat, Navy chief of staff Adm. Tedjo Edhi Purdijatno said the Indonesian Military would not allow it to happen.

“For us, national interests go above all else. Those mudflow victims are pursuing their individual interests, while the airport is a national asset,” Tedjo told Antara after a ceremony held

at the Surabaya naval base to commemorate the Navy’s 63rd anniversary.

“We are ready to deploy as many personnel as required to protect the airport. The facility must continue to operate.”

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