Pursuit of Reliable Electricity, PLN Substation Project in Jepara Receives Majority Support from Residents

Kasubsipenmas of the Jepara Police, Ipda Achmad Affendi. (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - The government continues to strive to provide maximum electricity system services to the community. Learning from experiences such as the recent alternating power outages on Java Island, the country through PT PLN (Persero) continues to strive to strengthen a reliable electricity system.

One of the strategic steps that is currently being carried out is to build the Nalumsari/Kudus II 150 kV Substation (GI) in Tunggul Pandean Village, Nalumsari District, Jepara Regency, Central Java.

Processed since 2017, this project continues to show positive progress.

The support of almost all the surrounding community, made the project which will later strengthen the electricity system in Kudus and Jepara, implemented almost without significant interference.

However, the public now feels disturbed by the maneuvers of members of the Indonesian House of Representatives who are suspected of often criticizing some members of the public, to help thwart or reject strategic projects that are one of the Asta Cita programs of President Prabowo.

Local community figure Sarno revealed that since the government announced the construction of GI in their village, the community hopes that everything will go smoothly.

"People here are very enthusiastic to support this GI and hope that in the future the electricity system will be better in our village. Moreover, we farmers here all need electricity, especially to help irrigate rice fields, especially in dry seasons like this," he said.

However, he admitted that the comfort of the development process had been disturbed by the presence of certain individuals who tried to hinder it because of personal profit factors that were expected, but not achieved.

"But that's just a handful of residents here, the rest are outsiders who don't know anything. That's why I emphasize that if there are residents here who hinder the project, just turn off the electricity in their house, Mr. PLN," he said.

The same thing was also voiced by the Head of RT 4, Sapon. He said that they were tired of the alternating power outages that had occurred so far, because Jepara, especially Tunggul Pandean Village, had not received maximum electricity services.

"This electricity is a primary need that we need at all times. It is natural that we are very happy when there is a PLN main substation development in our area. Because of course this will greatly support the activities of residents," he said.

Likewise, the head of RW 2, Sunardi, who was very happy with the construction of GI in their village.

"It is a blessing for our village, because Gi can be built here. Because of course in the future the electricity here will be more reliable and the activities of the residents will be easier later," he said.

The former Head of the Village (Kades) Tunggul Pandean Parmono, who is familiarly called Momok when confirmed at his residence, firmly supports the construction of the 150 kV Nalumsari GI.

"This project was initiated since 2017, it took place after I finished my term. It was in the era of Kades Ibu Ambar Zulaiko. At that time, as far as I know, the results of discussions with PLN, GI was present to overcome the maximum load on GI Jepara and GI Kudus. And the work was not sudden," said Momok.

For this project, as far as he knows, the SOP is carried out in an orderly manner, starting from the socialization stage, land acquisition, and government synergy hearings are all carried out. Moreover, this is indeed for the benefit of many people, especially in the village.

"I know all the processes quite well. January 2017, the first socialization to residents and the beginning of the process of releasing residents' land and August 2018, the second stage of socialization related to the continuation of land release. Everything went smoothly. So, even if there are disturbances, it's just people who are looking for mistakes and feel they can't profit from the project. In fact, with this GI, those who protest will enjoy it," he said.

The man, who is usually addressed as Mr. Mantan, explained that the TKD, which is now the location of GI, is also not productive land. Because it is a hard land that cannot be planted.

"We used to rent the bengkong (TKD) for 2.5 million, but it was not sold. Then a million a month was planted with sugar cane, the results were destroyed. So it can't be used at all. If it's now, it's already three times, even rice harvest," he said.

In addition to that, the Head of Tunggul Pandean Village, Khotibul Umam, in detail also explained that the stages of GI development were very procedural including the existence of ruislagh or asset turnover.

"From the information I received before I took office as a senior official. In the past, one of the land for the establishment of the main substation was Mr. Suliyono and Mr. Rio. Since they did not want to accept the results of the appraisal, they were transferred to the deso bond land which happened to be a senior bent (TKD) land," he said.

After the rejection of the establishment of the GI led by Suliyono and Eko Rio, they then invited residents to join in the rejection.

There are also those who want, but many do not want because they are fighting GI. And those who do not want they already understand the intentions of those who reject. Because it does not make their land bought.

What is very unfortunate is that their actions are actually supported by Jamaludin malik who is now serving as the DPR RI.

Because Suliyono happened to be the brother-in-law of Jamaludin Malik

"That happened since there was no agreement on their land with PLN around 2018. They didn't want it at the price that was in accordance with the appraisal from PLN.

Still, said Umam, they asked for a price above the appraisal. But PLN did not dare to realize it because everything must be in accordance with government regulations.

One of them is based on determining land prices through appraisal.

"All of this happened starting from the village head before me, namely Mrs. Ambar Zulaiko, continuing until I took office, even almost finished my term of office. Because there was an instruction to me to continue from the district government at the beginning of my tenure. I as a senior followed the instructions because the district government through Mr. Assistant 1 at that time all the processes had been passed through all of them.

"I remember the message from Mr. Assistant I, you are a new Mr. Inggi, you have just listened to the meeting with various parties, please continue the development of GI in Tunggul Pandean village, because it is in accordance with the process and has been determined there (bent senior)," he said.

Then, the swap roll was also carried out for the village asset village land (TKD) which is now a GI hermitage. The area of the bengkong or TKD for GI is 18,585 m², the replacement land is 26,763 m².

For this matter, continued General, the role of the village still prioritizes democracy.

From one RW and 7 RT chairmen who are under it, not all of them support, even though the majority support.

"Under me there are 7 RT, 6 clearly support and are ready to be in the front row to support this project, including the Head of the RW, only 1 is affected. But there is no problem, that's his right. But it must be remembered, this project is for the benefit of the people, it will certainly raise the status of this village and open opportunities for investment to come in later. Because usually investors will see how the electricity system, if supported by GI like this, it will increase the chances," said Umam.

The Jepara Police through the Head of the Public Relations and Public Information Section, Ipda Achmad Affendi, S.H., conveyed that the Jepara Police were committed to carrying out security for the implementation of the National Strategic Project (PSN) in accordance with the duties and powers of the police.

"So far, the situation at the Gardu Induk project site is still safe and conducive. We continue to carry out security and always coordinate so that all stages of construction can run orderly, safely, and in accordance with applicable regulations," he said.

He added, the Jepara Police through the Intelkam Unit also continued to carry out early detection and monitoring of every development of the situation on the ground to anticipate potential disturbances to public security and order.

"We respect the presentation of opinions that are carried out in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations. However, if there is a potential for disruption to security and the progress of the project, of course we will take steps according to the applicable procedures," he explained.

Furthermore, based on information from PLN, the construction of the Substation is expected to strengthen the electricity system in the Jepara and Kudus regions, including helping to reduce the load on the 150 kV Jepara Substation and the 150 kV Kudus Substation, which currently serve the electricity needs in the region.