Pertamina Oil Spill; Fishermen in Muara Gembong Seek Compensation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of fishermen in Muara Gembong, north coast of Bekasi Regency, West Java, asked for compensation for the oil spill at around PT Pertamina Hulu Energi's Offshore North West Java or ONWJ block in Karawang waters.

"I and fellow fishermen expect compensation from Pertamina in any form because I have heard that fishermen in Karawang have been promised to compensation," said Nurali Enjok, 59, a fisherman from Pantai Sederhana village, Cikarang, Wednesday, August 7.

According to Nurali, fishermen usually caught 10 kilograms of fish, shrimp, small crabs, and squid, but after the incident, they could only get one to two kilograms per day.

Besides, there is a circulated issue about poisonous fish in the community, which affected the sales to decline.

Villagers in Pantai Bahagia and Pantai Bakti also experienced similar problems. The oil contamination in the area began since Sunday, July 21, and that significantly affect the source of living of fishermen and fish farmers.

A fish farmer in Pantai Bahagia village, Surin, 41, claimed the incident killed his fish and shrimp as he depended on sea waters to irrigate his farm. Surin hoped that Pertamina immediately overcomes the water pollution and provide compensation to fishermen and farmers.

"Do not only reward us for cleaning up the oil spill. We demand compensation for this incident. If fishermen in Karawang will be compensated, why we haven’t received it yet? What is the difference between us and those fishermen in Karawang?" Surin said.

As of date, Pertamina continues drilling to stop gas bubbles around the YYA-1 platform. As many as 45 ships were dispatched to handle the oil spill.

ANTARA