December 5, 2019
Japanese Communist Party lawmakers on December 4 in the Diet building met with a group of Indonesian residents and environmental activists waging a fight against the Japan-funded project to expand a coal-fired power plant in West Java.
The power plant in question which is located in Cirebon in West Java aroused public concern regarding damage to the local environment and to people’s livelihoods and health after the No.1 unit began commercial operations. Currently, at the plant, the project to construct a new unit is underway. This power plant receives financial support from the government-funded Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Japan’s three megabanks (the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation).
Dwi Saung, activist of Indonesia’s largest environmental NGO, Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), pointed out that the ongoing project is tainted with money scandals, including bribery and money laundering. Stating that much of the financing provided by Japan is pocketed by corrupt individuals, he stressed the need to put an end to Japan’s financial support to the planned expansion of the coal-fired power plant.
JCP member of the House of Councilors Iwabuchi Tomo criticized the expansion project for going against global efforts to tackle the climate crisis. She expressed her determination to grill the Abe government about this matter because Japan’s involvement in the project is being called into question.
Past related articles:
> Indonesian farmers opposing coal-fired power plant project ask for JCP assistance [April 11&13, 2019]
> Indonesian civil group: Japan should not fund coal-fired power plant in their country [May 16, 2018]
> Indonesian group asks JCP for cooperation in efforts to oppose Japan-funded thermal power generation [December 6 & 8, 2017]
The power plant in question which is located in Cirebon in West Java aroused public concern regarding damage to the local environment and to people’s livelihoods and health after the No.1 unit began commercial operations. Currently, at the plant, the project to construct a new unit is underway. This power plant receives financial support from the government-funded Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Japan’s three megabanks (the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation).
Dwi Saung, activist of Indonesia’s largest environmental NGO, Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), pointed out that the ongoing project is tainted with money scandals, including bribery and money laundering. Stating that much of the financing provided by Japan is pocketed by corrupt individuals, he stressed the need to put an end to Japan’s financial support to the planned expansion of the coal-fired power plant.
JCP member of the House of Councilors Iwabuchi Tomo criticized the expansion project for going against global efforts to tackle the climate crisis. She expressed her determination to grill the Abe government about this matter because Japan’s involvement in the project is being called into question.
Past related articles:
> Indonesian farmers opposing coal-fired power plant project ask for JCP assistance [April 11&13, 2019]
> Indonesian civil group: Japan should not fund coal-fired power plant in their country [May 16, 2018]
> Indonesian group asks JCP for cooperation in efforts to oppose Japan-funded thermal power generation [December 6 & 8, 2017]
