Abab, Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir (PALI) – On Friday, September 1, 2023, hundreds of residents from Betung Raya Village, comprising Betung Barat, Selatan, and Induk in the Abab sub-district of Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir (PALI) Regency, staged a protest by storming the PT Dagqing Citra Petroleum Technology Service mess location in the Goyang Lida Betung Selatan area. This protest action was in response to the losses incurred by the community due to seismic activities conducted by the company.
Media reports show that the villagers began converging on the PT Dagqing mess location around 2:00 PM local time. Upon their arrival, heated debates ensued between PT Daqing representatives and the growing crowd of protesters.
Despite repeated assurances from PT Daqing’s Public Relations that they were willing to take responsibility for the impacts of the 3D seismic activities in the Betung sub-district of Abab and a request for further meetings, the protesters were unsatisfied with mere promises. They demanded concrete evidence and assurances regarding who would compensate them for the losses incurred, especially concerning the damages to their homes caused by the seismic activities.
The protesters even padlocked the office used for monitoring 3D seismic activities in the Abab sub-district as a sign of their dissatisfaction.
After some time, the Camat (sub-district head) of Abab, Razulik SH., along with the village heads (Kades) of Betung, Suparman, Betung Selatan, H Darlani, and Betung Abab, Rozali, arrived at the protest site. During the meeting between the Camat, village heads, PT Daqing representatives, and the protesters represented by Dicky, the villagers’ demands were clearly articulated.
Some of the demands included the immediate validation and assessment of the villagers’ homes with cracks caused by the seismic activities. The villagers also sought assurances that their houses were safe for habitation and would not collapse, particularly endangering children. Furthermore, they pressed the company to promptly make payments for damages (PK) and land clearing costs that were affected by the seismic activities.
The villagers also sought clarity on who would be responsible for compensation and when these payments would be made. If their demands were not met, they appealed to the Camat of Abab and the three Village Heads in Betung Raya to temporarily halt the 3D seismic activities in the Abab sub-district.
Despite PT Daqing providing answers to these demands, the protesters remained dissatisfied and weary of sweet promises. They believed that everything had its process and that the company would invite all affected villagers. However, this response was met with discontent by the hundreds of protesters who sought more concrete actions.
Ultimately, after failing to reach an agreement, both parties, the community and PT Daqing, agreed to draft a statement temporarily halting the 3D seismic activities in the Abab sub-district until all the villagers’ demands were met. This statement was signed by PT Daqing representatives, with the Camat of Abab, Razulik, Kades Betung Suparman, Kades Betung Selatan H Darlani, and Kades Betung Barat Rozali acting as witnesses.
Prior to this development, the seismic survey activities in the Abab sub-district had already caused losses for the villagers, including damage to their homes due to intense ground vibrations. Residents described hearing explosive sounds almost daily, making them feel unsafe inside their homes. One resident, Juli, expressed her fears regarding this situation while speaking with the media.
With the issuance of this suspension statement for 3D seismic activities, it is hoped that PT Daqing will take concrete steps to address the impacts and fulfill the demands of the community.