PTTEP Investment Rejected Due To Montana Case

The Montara Task Force rejected the presence of PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) which intends to invest in Indonesia, before the completion of the Timor Sea Pollution case in 2009 was completely completed.

"The Montara Task Force firmly rejected the permit and exploitation of PTTEP in Indonesia before the problem of pollution of the Timor Sea was completely resolved," said Member of the Montara Task Force Ferdi Tanoni as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, March 4.

For your information, the Montara Task Force is a unit or formation formed by the Indonesian Government to work on the task of resolving the Timor Sea pollution case.

Ferdi added that if the Thai company wants to invest in Indonesia, it must first sit down together to resolve the Timor Sea pollution case.

The reason is, on August 21, 2009, the Montara Block managed by PTTEP Australasia and produces oil and natural gas in the Timor Sea, the Australian region exploded and polluted the Timor Sea to the waters of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

The oil spill damaged hundreds of hectares of seaweed cultivation belonging to seaweed farmers. Not only that, but the case has also resulted in reduced fishing results in several years.

What is even worse, said Ferdi, is that fishermen and seaweed farmers are injured due to the contamination of the sea in their area.

Although currently some compensation has been given to fishermen and seaweed farmers in NTT amounting to 15,000 people, according to Ferdi the case has not been completed.

This is because a number of other losses, such as environmental damage and others are still the responsibility of PTTEP, the Thai Government because the company belongs to the state, and the Australian side itself.