TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD in a press conference on Wednesday said the opposition from some of the villagers living in Wadas, Central Java, will not affect the continuity of the national strategic project of the Bener Dam (Bendungan Bener).

He said resistance from locals will not change the legal status of the project as a prior lawsuit from locals was denied by a State Administrative Court (PTUN).

“Some of the people opposed it and filed a lawsuit to the PTUN, which resulted in a verdict at the Supreme Court which rejected it. This means the government’s program is valid,” said Mahfud on February 9.

The construction of the Bener Dam is one of the country’s national projects that has started in 2013. He also mentioned the mining plans to extract andesite stones that are needed for the dam’s construction. He defended that the requirement of the environmental impact analysis had been fulfilled.

He explained that the Bener Dam will be utilized to distribute water to 15,000 hectares of agricultural land, as a clean water source, as power electricity, and to overcome flooding. The minister insisted that the dam is built with the public interest in mind, especially for the residents of Central Java and neighboring areas.

Mahfud MD said he understands the divide within Wadas village regarding this project. He added that the Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo will host a public dialogue with local villagers who oppose the government project.

Read: Ganjar Pranowo Apologizes for Wadas People Arrest

EGI ADYATAMA