LAPINDO Victims Demand to Meet President
Tuesday, 02 December, 2008 | 11:37 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Around one thousand victims of the Lapindo mudflow disaster from the Tanggulangin Anggun Sejahtera housing complex, Sidoarjo, came to the Presidential Palace this morning (2/12).

As planned, they are now gathered at the Istiqlal Mosque and will demand that the president to push Lapindo Brantas Inc. to fulfill its commitment as regards paying them compensation.

“We just want to meet with the president today. So far, we have only met with a minister who cannot apparently make any decision,” said Sumitro, the action leader.

Several of the victims said they were disappointed because during their meeting with the Public Works Minister yesterday, they were asked to leave.
Nothing satisfactory was resolved during the meeting as far as the victims were concerned.

A direct meeting with the president is expected to be able to answer their concern as they have not received any confirmation regarding the compensation up until today.

“The President issued the presidential regulation regarding the compensation. Therefore, he should be the one implementing it,” added Sumitro.

ROHMAN TAUFIQ