Lapindo Compensation to be Covered by State Budget
29 September 2014 11:10 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of victims who are in areas affected by the Lapindo mudflow disaster held istighosah (mass prayers) in Renokenongo village, Sidoarjo, Sunday, September 28. They expressed their gratitude for the plan to compensate up to Rp781 billion from the national budget.
“All residents are happy with the good news,” said Sjuwito, a coordinator for Lapindo mudflow victims in the village, when approached after the event.
The mass praying was genuinely to invite Sidoarjo regent, Saiful Ilah. “We urge the regent to directly explain us at this event,” he said regarding the Sidoarjo Mudflow Handling Agency's (BPLS) board of advisors meeting in Jakarta, which resulted with the recommendation for the central government to take over the rest of the compensation.
According to Sunarni, a Lapindo mudflow victim, her compensation will be used to pay off her debt and house rent. “My family's only hope is from this compensation,” she said. According to Tempo's observation, the scorching heat from the sun in the Lapindo mudflow area did not seem to deter the victims from attending the istighosah, and waited for the regent's arrival.
MOHAMMAD SYARRAFAH
