LOCAL LANDOWNERS OCCUPY BP BASE CAMP IN BINTUNI BAY, PAPUA

Yesterday ( 13 May), at around 08.00 AM local time, BP Base Camp in Saengga, Bintuni Bay, Papua, was occupied by an estimated 100 local landowners. Dissatisfied local land owners decided to take the action after learning that BP did not comply with the “deal” made between BP and the local landowners in a BP held workshop on 24-26 April 2002 in Saengga, Bintuni Bay, in which both BP and the local land owners agreed to sign a formal agreement the next day 27 April 2002. Instead, BP and the Manokwari government officials, without consulting the land owners, decided that the signing of the agreement should
take place in Manokwari town (not in Saengga), on 29 April 2002-4 May 2002.

The Saengga village representatives were promised to be transported to Manokwari for the occasion. Again this did not materialize. A protest then staged on 7 May 2002 in Saengga where 63 signatures from local land owners were obtained. A
3 day deadline was set by the land owners. As BP did little to respond to the land owners demands, the whole state of affairs accumulated to what happened yesterday in Saengga. 

The “deal” made during the 24-26 April workshop in Saengga village resulted in eight (8) points of “agreement” BP will have for the Bintuni Bay land owners.

Prominent among these are “land issue”, “local workforce”, “local custom”, “health, education, local economy developments”.

Discrepancy over land becomes a major issue. Not the signing of the agreementitself. Manokwari Land Agency, and the local government of Manokwari regency gave two different versions regarding the extent of land contracted to BP. The former mentioned 2950 Ha, while the latter 3266 Ha. Compensation rate is 15 rupiahs/meter.

When contacted by Elsham Papua supervisor (Mr. John Rumbiak) for clarification, John O’Reilly (BP Vice President for Government & Public Affairs) in Jakarta confirmed the incident occurring at BP Saengga base camp, but said that there
were only 30 protesters turning up. When asked over alleged information regarding BP security officers (Satpam) being trained by Kopassus force, Mr. O’Reilly declined to comment, but said that he will notify Elsham Papua in 48 hours time. Responding to assumptions that the land owners protest and occupation of BP Saengga base camp was a trick engineered to justify a 
military presence around BP operation area (a classic policy pattern in Indonesia), Mr. O’Reilly stated that BP is aware of the incident and closely following it. BP promised to settle this dispute with the local land owners on 9 June 
2002. 

Signs of local objections to BP presence in the Bintuni Bay began in the wake of reported deaths of more than 40 infants in the area last year, believed to be caused by oil extracting practices of Arco company, a BP subsidiary. BP’s stance to adopt a military-free zone for its LNG “Tangguh” Project in Bintuni Bay, Papua, should be subject to questions as this contradicts 
with the Indonesian national policy to provide military protection for each mega industrial project plant, the size of BP proposed gas plant in the Bintuni Bay.

In Papua, BP is lobbying various parties (government departments/agencies, community and church leaders, NGOs, academics) to garner their supports. BP is a world oil and gas giant. BP claims that there are 14.4 trillion cubic feet (TFC) natural gas reserves in the Tangguh concession area. Given this huge economic rewards the project will contribute to BP and Indonesia, this initial turmoil at BP Saengga base camp, who knows, might be the tip of the iceberg enveloping multinational corporation conflict of interests over rights to the Bintuni Bay gas reserve. And this may also get the military entangled in this complicated process.

Despite the positive image the company is trying to paint for its Indonesian operation, its past unpleasant track records in South America (Colombia) continue to force human rights activists and environmentalists to have close eyes on its global ventures.