Amir Tejo, Surabaya – A group of Lapindo mudflow victims broke their fast on Wednesday with the Bakrie family in Kahuripan Nirwana Village, the housing complex built for them by the Bakrie group.
One of the residents who accepted the cash and resettlement scheme offered by the Bakrie group said the invitation was extended as an expression of gratitude to the Bakrie family for their assistance.
"This breaking of the fast is our way to thank God and the Bakrie family for helping us so that our family can have a home now," said Choirul Huda, secretary of the Union of Lapindo Mudflow Victims (GKLL).
Choirul said he was better off now as he had a house in Jati Rogo, in the center of Sidoarjo, unlike last year when he and his family lived in a rented house. In addition, he said he also had money in the bank as Lapindo had paid him Rp 15 million ($1,500) as part of the compensation for his damaged house, plus Rp 10 million for his land.
Choirul said he has no problem with the damages being paid in installments. "We actually wanted [the damages] paid in cash in advance. But the Bakrie group's financial situation does not allow that at the moment. We have to understand that," he said.
Choirul said he and his associates were not afraid to be branded traitors for inviting the Bakrie family for the breaking of the fast. He said that reporting on the Lapindo mud victims had been far from balanced, giving the impression that all mud victims were suffering.
"In reality, not all of them are miserable. Some of them feel lucky after the transaction, because their property was bought at prices higher than the market value," he claimed.
PT Lapindo Brantas, a company that is part of the Bakrie Group controlled by the family of Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, has been blamed for the mudflow in Sidoarjo that has displaced thousands of residents. The government has ordered the company to compensate victims, but payment has been slow.
Other residents disagreed with Choirul, fearing his move might undermine other mudflow victims' ongoing fight for their rights.
"What's their motive for saying thanks? Don't thank them yet, [not] until all Bakrie's commitments to pay damages are realized," said Pitanto, a mudflow victim from Renokenongo village.