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Residents left in the lurch after land grab
Residents of Sebalang village, Lampung, have urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to immediately name suspects in what they allege to be a case of illegal land grabbing for a steam-powered power plant (PLTU) project
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esidents of Sebalang village, Lampung, have urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to immediately name suspects in what they allege to be a case of illegal land grabbing for a steam-powered power plant (PLTU) project.
The residents claim to have been forcefully evicted from their land to make way for the plant and received a mere token sum in compensation.
The KPK is currently questioning a number of witnesses.
Lampung Governor Sjachroedin Z.P. went to KPK headquarters in Jakarta last week to testify about the acquisition of 65 hectares for the project.
The residents suspect an organized criminal syndicate may be operating behind the project.
"The compensation of only Rp 500 *about 5 US cents* per square meter of land is inhumane. But we have no choice because we risk attracting violence," Sebalang resident Rosihan said recently.
Construction of the PLTU Sebalang project, estimated to cost Rp 1.9 trillion, commenced in 2007 when South Lampung was led by regent Zulkifli Anwar.
The project, also called the PLTU Tarahan Unit III and PLTU Tarahan Unit IV, has been built on 65 hectares of land in Sebalang hamlet, Tarahan village, Katibung district, South Lampung, some 20 kilometers from provincial capital Bandar Lampung.
Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) activist Mukri Friatna said that in 2007, hundreds of Sebalang residents complained to Walhi about intimidation and requested protection.
He said they feared forceful eviction and confrontations with thugs. They have also sought protection with the police, but, according to Mukri, their fate remains unclear.
"Besides the PLTU project, a reclamation project for a planned port and resort have also been driving residents off their land, with many of them resorting to move in with relatives," said Mukri.
Village chief Hasan Wahab has blamed a nearby 20-hectare land reclamation for difficulties in irrigation.
"The compensation was for the land located south of the Trans-Sumatra highway for the PLTU project, while the land located north is for the resort area and housing owned by PT Tanjung Selaki," said Wahab.
Wahab said he was unclear of the amount of compensation. "But, for sure, the eviction has deprived us water access as our farmland can no longer be irrigated," said Wahab.
The Lampung Anticorruption Committee (Koak) said it had found markups in the reclamation project, whereby the administration office had budgeted Rp 26 billion to compensate residents, while only Rp 13 billion was spent.
The KPK, according to spokesman Johan Budi S.P. in Jakarta, is still gathering evidence.
