Caltex helps mangrove disappearance

The disappearance of mangrove trees along th coastal area of Bengkalis island has partly resulted in the abrasion of some parts of Muntai village in the Bantan district on the island.

Chief of the Muntai village Sabari said last week that almost half part of the village including hundreds of hectares of rice fields and plantations in the village have become part of the sea as no more mangrove trees were able to prevent the seawater penetration.

"At least three bridges and three water gates which were built by the government only in 1998 have also fallen parts due to a severe abrasion," he said. He accused Caltex, the single largest oil mining operator in the area as one of the culprits.

He said the disaster began when Caltex started the operation in the area several years ago. Oil spills from the company's oil tankers passing the island had caused a severe damage to the environment, which later caused the disappearance of almost of all mangrove trees there.

The village chief said the local residents had reported the case to the local legislators and government officials but their protests received no attentions.

Poedyo Oetomo, the communications and media relations manager of the company, said he never received a report about the oil spills. "If there is a proof, please report to us. If there is no proof, don't talk," he said. (*).