Moeldoko Tegaskan Proyek LNG Abadi Blok Masela Harus Perhatusukan Masela Masyarakat

Moeldoko asked the Masela Block project to pay attention to the affected communities. (Doc KSP)

JAKARTA - Presidential Chief of Staff Dr. Moeldoko assessed that the resolution of the land acquisition problem for the Masela Natural Gas Refinery Project (LNG), on Nustual Island, Lermatang, South Tanimbar, Maluku, could not only be carried out using the legalization. According to him, project implementers must also look at the field conditions so that in the future there will be no prolonged conflict.

"If you are rigid with the rules, you must do this and that, the community still doesn't want it, we can do what. This will even lead to prolonged rejection and conflict. So, apart from legality, we must also look at the reality on the ground. Everything must be taken into account the risks and social costs," said Moeldoko, while chairing a follow-up meeting on the mediation of land acquisition for the Masela project, together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and SKK Migas, at the Bina Graha building, Jakarta. Tuesday 13 September.

For information, the Masela project land acquisition mediation meeting followed up on complaints from the Tanimbar Islands Nustual community to the Presidential Staff Office, on June 16, 2022. The public objected to determining the price of land compensation for the construction of the Abadi Masela field natural gas refinery, which was Rp. 14,000/m2. Meanwhile, the land area itself reaches 29 hectares.

For this determination, the public filed a lawsuit with the Saumlaki District Court, and it was determined that the land compensation price was Rp. 172,000/m2. However, the operator's decision was again sued, namely Inpex Corporation, by filing an appeal to the Supreme Court, which eventually canceled the Saumlaki District Court's decision, and the land compensation price returned to Rp. 14,000/m2

Moeldoko said that basically the people of Nustual have received the results of the Supreme Court's decision, which is Rp. 14,000/m2. However, he continued, the public still wants additional compensation for their land, which is Rp. 150,000. "This demand must be taken into account whether it is in accordance with the smooth implementation of the project or not," said Moeldoko.

On that occasion, the 2013-2015 TNI Commander also requested that the use of the Masela Ciar Natural Gas Refinery (LNG) project can run according to the target while maintaining the interests of the community being fair and worthy. "Don't let there be social conflicts that have a negative impact on stakeholders who have good faith to support this project," concluded Moeldoko.