[Kabar-indonesia] Police close to naming suspects in mudflow case

[Joyo at aol.com]

The Jakarta Post 
Saturday, July 1, 2006

Police say close to naming suspects in mudflow case

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After nearly a month of questioning witnesses and studying documents related 
to the mudflow in Sidoarjo, East Java, an officer said Friday police were 
close to naming suspects in the case.

National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Bambang Kuncoko said the police would 
name suspects from the companies involved in the gas drilling project that led to 
the incident.

"After examining documents confiscated from the companies involved, the 
police are close to naming suspects. These suspects come from various levels of the 
companies, including operators, owners and managers," he said.

Police have come under fire for their perceived sluggishness in investigating 
the case, which has been called an ecological disaster by some experts.

According to critics, the police are reluctant to dig too deeply into the 
matter because PT Lapindo Brantas Inc., the company that was drilling the gas 
well, is partly owned by the family of Aburizal Bakrie, the coordinating minister 
for the people's welfare.

Nine people were questioned Friday as witnesses at East Java Police 
Headquarters in Surabaya.

They are PT Lapindo general manager Imam Agustino; Lapindo drilling engineers 
Taufik and Bambang Heru; Lapindo human relations manager Yuniwati; PT Medici 
Citra Nusantara officials Bambang Istiadi and Rahenold; and PT Tiga Musim 
Masjaya drilling technicians Sulaeman, Saefudin and Jubaldi.

"In the next few days we will surely be able to name suspects in this case," 
Bambang said.

He also said police had confiscated 16 documents from the companies involved 
in the incident regarding their exploration plans and licenses.

"There are strong indications that some laws have been violated. Those 
responsible could be charged under the Criminal Code and other laws," Bambang said.

Besides the Criminal Code, suspects could be tried under the 1997 
Environmental Law and the 1977 Mining Law.

"Anyone found guilty could face five to six years in prison," Bambang said.

Police have questioned a total of 38 witnesses, including 21 residents of 
Sidoarjo and one oil and gas exploration expert.

PT Lapindo has paid a total Rp 12 billion (around US$1.2 million) to help the 
government deal with the mudflow and its effect on residents. 

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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