TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A representative for the residents of ‘Kampung Tanah Merah’ in North Jakarta, Mumu, on Sunday said that Pertamina nor the government had approached locals regarding the buffer zone around the Pertamina Plumpang Fuel Depot, which resides side-by-side with the residential area.

On March 3, this place became witness to yet another massive explosion that claimed many lives of those who live nearby the fuel depot. Talks about a safe buffer zone have emerged again following the tragedy.

“There has been no approach. That is just an issue among state officials,” said Mumu to Tempo on March 12.

Mumu argues that the decision to create a buffer zone must not arbitrarily be taken by the government but also must consider local residents affected by such relocation. He claims there was talk of relocating Pertamina in 2024. However, residents close to the walls of the Pertamina Plumpang depot, a radius of 50 meters, had to move.

From 1996 to 1997 residents were asked to move further back by 3 times. Not only that, the area used by the Pertamina Depot, which was originally 3.5 hectares, has expanded to around 14 hectares through the years.

Residents of Kampung Tanah Merah disagree about the relocation. There are a number of points of consideration that the community is fighting for in defending the land they live on.

He reminded stakeholders that some residents have businesses that could prove tricky to relocate. "Those who do the grocery business, those who trade on the streets on carts, meatball vendors, coffee vendors. That is the problem with relocation," said Mumu.

However, he believes a win-win solution can be reached if the government openly discusses its plans with residents. Mumu also noted that if relocation is indeed crucial, other facilities nearby the Pertamina fuel depot such as a local military command headquarter and the Kelapa Gading area must also be relocated.

DESTY LUTHFIANI

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