Two Die from Riot at Indonesia's Oil Rig

VIVAnews – The protests at Pertamina-Medco Joint Operating Body (JOB) oil drilling facilities at the Tiaka Field, Luwuk, Central Sulawesi, ended in chaos that left two people dead. The first victim was a student, whose body was taken to the hometown in Gorontalo. Meanwhile the other victim was a Luwuk resident.

Central Sulawesi Police Chief, Police Brig. Gen. Dewa Parsana, said the unrest was triggered by the residents’ protest on Saturday.

The next day, he said, a clash between Luwuk police officers and the masses occurred. At that time, about 50 people carried sharp weapons and petrol bombs and came to the oil drilling area. The crowd immediately damaged six wells. After the destruction, the crowd held hostage two Medco employees.

After the incident, about 80 Mobile Brigade police officers came to the location to maintain security. "[We're] anticipating another destruction," said the police chief when contacted by VIVAnews.com, Tuesday.

On Monday, August 22, two Medco employees who were held hostage by the people managed to escape and were rescued by the police. 

Dewa went on to say, on the same day some people came back to the location. "A well was thrown with Molotov cocktails. They came by several boats. The police tried to negotiate with them over the problem."

However, he said, the people instead attacked the police who were on guard. Three regular police officers and one Mobile Brigade member were held hostage and taken away by boat. The people also seized police weapons. "Gunshots between the people and the police took place. They left, but ran out of fuel on the way and asked for some from the police," said the police chief.

According to the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulator (BP Migas) Head of Public Relations, Security, and Formality Division, Gde Pradnyana, up to now, the field has been closed down and all workers were evacuated. "The production facility has been temporarily guarded by police and military officers, until the situation is favorable," said Gde.