Lapindo Bailout Fund to be Disbursed in May
30 March 2015 09:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said the bailout fund for PT Minarak Lapindo Jaya will be ready to be disbursed in April or May 2015. The government, Basuki said, is currently drafting an agreement with Lapindo.
“The team is still waiting for President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo to return from his official visit. [The team] will immediately work upon the [agreement] signing,” Basuki said when observing an irrigation project in Padang, West Sumatera, on Sunday, March 29, 2015.
Basuki explained that Lapindo’s assets had shrunk to Rp2.7 trillion (US$207.7 million) from Rp3.03 trillion (US$233 million) upon an audit by the Financial and Development Supervisory Board (BPKP).
According to Basuki, Lapindo’s asset value declined due to double counting issues with several land plots. In addition, Lapindo has also handed over bonuses, other than compensations for lands, to the Lapindo mud victims.
“The bonus could not be regarded as an asset. That’s why the assets had to be deducted by Rp200 billion (US$15.4 million),” Basuki said.
ANDRI EL FARUQI