Mudflow victims raise tents as rent expires
The Jakarta Post | Wed, 01/07/2009 7:03 PM
Dozens of Sidoarjo mudflow disaster victims erected tents at a new housing complex and vowed to stay put in a bid to pressure the government and PT Minarak Lapindo Jaya to fulfill their commitments.
The housing complex, called Kahuripan Nirawana Village, is supposed to be ready to house victims of the mudflow, who have been homeless since June 2008.
Those raising tents in front of the complex are just a few of the 1,500 people who have been temporarily set up in rented housing paid for by the government and Lapindo.
One victim, Sukardi, said the rent payments for the temporary housing had ended in December and some mudflow victims were currently scrambling for a place to live.
"The promise was that we could take up residence in June 2008, but it looks like construction of the houses has not finished," said Sukardi.
The five families had brought their furniture in a truck, installed their belongings in the tents and declared they would not move from the spot until Lapindo came up with the housing they had promised. (emh)
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