Sidoarjo, East Java – Five victims of the Sidoarjo mudflow forced the workers from the site to protest against PT Minarak Lapindo Jaya for the lateness in paying their compensation.

The company was to have paid each of them Rp 15 million, 80 percent of the amount agreed to be paid as compensation. The workers were building an embankment at the mudflow site in Porong to anticipate mud overflow when the residents ordered them to stop.

"We are protesting against Minarak Lapindo Jaya as they have been late in their obligation to pay the remaining fees. It was due on Jan. 3," said Hasan, one of the protesters.

He added others had not got the money at all while their homes were already inundated by the mud.