APSN Banner

Caltex faces new attack from environmentalists

Source
Indonesian Observer - October 16, 2000

Jakarta – PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia, struggling against disruptions caused by protesting villagers who are demanding jobs, has been accused of using bombs to find oil sources in Riau province.

The Institute for Indonesian Forest Studies (LPHI), a non-governmental organization, said yesterday Caltex had breached environmental laws by detonating explosives to look for oil reserves across the province, Detikcom online news service reported.

LPHI Secretary General Andreas Hery Khahurifan was quoted as saying his group will sue Caltex at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, because of the severe environmental damage. Such activity can no longer be tolerated and should be stopped, he said.

He argued that the bombings could make the surrounding environment infertile, particularly land located within a 40 kilometer radius of Caltexs mining sites. If Caltex continues to use bombs, Riau will become a wasteland. That would inflict suffering on locals.

Khahurifan said Caltexs use of bombs is a violation of human rights as it has made people suffer and threatened the growth of trees and other vegetation. He said non-governmental organizations have blacklisted Caltex due to its environmental record. Of the many companies in Riau, Caltex tops the list when it comes to environmental pollution.

LPHI also accused the giant mining company of polluting a river, where it dumps waste materials, such as hydrocarbon. So areas of land and water in Riau have been polluted by Caltexs waste. We have to immediately halt these activities that are a violation of the environment law. Our government is not yet concerned by the case, Khahurifan said. Caltex has been facing protests from villagers who have demanded that they be employed with the companys local contractors.

Protesters blocked some mining rigs and seized dozens of its vehicles, disrupting productions. Last Thursday, protesting villagers set ablaze one of the vehicles.

Country