EAST JAVA MUD FLOW UPDATE -- RESIDENTS IGNORE POLICE

UNCLAS SURABAYA 000022 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, INR/EAP, EB/ESC/IEC DOE FOR CUTLER/PI-32 AND NAKANO/PI-42 COMMERCE FOR USDOC 4430 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EPET NERG PGOV ASEC ID SUBJECT: EAST JAVA MUD FLOW UPDATE -- RESIDENTS IGNORE POLICE BARRICADES; COMPENSATION PROBLEMS CONTINUE REF: A. Surabaya 18 (Dikes Collapse, Demos Mar Relocation) ¶B. Surabaya 17 (Geysers) ¶C. Surabaya 01 (Dam Collapse) The message is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Flammable gas leaks in villages surrounding the mud flow have led officials to restrict access, but residents refuse to leave. Sidoarjo officials will stop providing food assistance to recently displaced villagers due to budgetary constraints. Some village officials are skimming money off compensation payments. Local police have arrested four suspected of stealing pipeline sections from the mud management agency. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Reports of leaking flammable hydrogen sulfide gas and new geysers in villages surrounding the mud flow epicenter (ref a) have raised concerns about the danger posed to local residents. According to February 15 press reports, at the request of the deputy regent of Sidoarjo, local police erected "police lines" around several areas of West Siring and Jatirejo to prevent people from entering. Handoko Teguh, an engineer for the Sidoarjo Mud Management Agency (BPLS),confirmed to ConGen Surabaya that police lines had been established but stressed that BPLS was still awaiting the results of a Geology Board investigation into the danger posed to residents. Residents have thus far refused to evacuate. COMPENSATION -------------- ¶3. (U) The Sidoarjo Department of Social Welfare will soon stop food assistance to residents of Besuki village, who were displaced by recent dam breaches (ref a). The villagers are currently living under the former toll road. According to press reports, the Sidoarjo government does not have sufficient funds to continue providing food for those displaced by the mud. Under emergency response procedures, the regency provides three days of food. The Besuki villagers have received six days of food assistance. ¶4. (U) According to press reports, village officials have been taking a cut from funds distributed by President Yudhoyono to villagers displaced by the mud flow disaster. Each family was eligible to receive Rp 370,000 (USD 41),but in fact received Rp 340,000 (USD 37.50). Officials argued that the Rp 40,000 (USD 4.00) difference was used for administrative purposes only, not to line the pockets of local officials. The head of the Renokenongo village told reporters that officials involved in the scheme would repay the difference to villagers. STEALING PIPE -------------- ¶5. (SBU) According to press reports, the Sidoarjo police arrested four suspects for the recent theft of 40 meters of pipeline used to channel mud to the Porong River. Handoko told ConGen Surabaya that the stolen pipeline was actually a section of pipe installed by the previous mud management agency (TIMNAS) and not currently active. Previously, TIMNAS planned to channel mud directly to the sea, but the pipelines had never been used. The suspects had stolen pipeline sections on at least three previous occasions. MCCLELLAND