Surabaya, E Java, (Antara) - Publicly traded cement producer PT Semen Indonesia said it is ready to start operation of its new factory in Rembang, Central Java , before the end of the first half of the year despite protest from some local people.
Local people have staged a series of rallies ever since the start if its construction saying the cement factory had damaged the environment.
The environmental damage is extensive, when in fact the karst ecosystem in the area should be protected, a leader of the protesters has said.
State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, however, said the majority of the villagers supported the construction of the cement factory, as it would contribute to economic development in that area. Rini said only 5 percent of people opposed the construction.
On Thursday, the Chief Executive of the state-owned company Rizkan Chandra said a meeting was held between Semen Indonesia with the presidential staff members in Jakarta on Wednesday.
"At that meeting we, Semen Indonesia, respected the result of the meeting. What is left that needs addressing is the mining (of the raw material) at Cekungan Air Tanah (CAT) of Watuputih," he said.
He said Semen Indonesia will start commercial operation before the end of the first half of the year.
He said the company respects and supports further environmental study to ensure that the factory caused no environmental damage.
Meanwhile, a lawmaker Edhy Prabowo called for immediate conclusion of study by the strategic environmental assessment center Kajian Lingkungan Hidup Strategis (KLHS).
Edhy said the government has to push for immediate completion of the study soon to decide the fate the cement factory.
He asked the local people to wait until the conclusion of the study by KLHS and not allowed themselves to be provoked into committing damaging actions.
Meanwhile Director General of Forestry and Environment Planology Prof. San Afri Awang said so far all geology researches held so far showed no sign of networtk of underground water in CAT Watuputih as claimed by the protesters.
President Joko Widodo is expected to inaugurate the factory, according to State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno following a recent visit to the factory .
"The factory's development has been completed, and it will operate smoothly but, the inauguration will wait for the results from the study by the KLHS, which hopefully, will be completed in April, Rini said.
In October last year, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the protesters and ordered Semen Indonesia to cease its activities.
Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, therefore, revoked the permit issued earlier but he issued a new environmental permit to continue the construction. (*)
