The assessment aims to formulate comprehensive restoration measures following the spill, triggered by a 2009 wellhead blowout in the Timor Sea off northern Australia at a facility operated by a subsidiary of Thailand's state-owned PTT Group.
"Beyond compensation, the priority is restoring the region to its original condition. We will deploy a research team to identify the recovery measures needed," Sadewa said during a visit to East Nusa Tenggara, according to an official statement.
During the visit, Sadewa met residents in Tablolong, Kupang district, who have continued to face the consequences of the Montara spill nearly 17 years after the environmental disaster.
The spill polluted Indonesian waters, damaging marine ecosystems and severely affecting the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on fishing and other marine-based economic activities.
Residents told the minister that fish catches have fallen sharply, seaweed farming has been heavily disrupted, and small businesses linked to the fisheries sector have suffered substantial income losses.
Sadewa said resolving the Montara case requires a comprehensive approach combining environmental restoration, economic recovery for affected residents, and protection of the rights of impacted communities.
He said the meeting was intended to gather firsthand information on current conditions and hear community proposals to help accelerate efforts to resolve the long-running environmental and economic problems.
Sadewa pledged stronger coordination among ministries and government agencies to ensure recovery efforts are carried out through an integrated approach addressing both environmental rehabilitation and community welfare.
The discussions also reviewed progress in distributing compensation to affected residents.
Sadewa said the government is closely monitoring payments to ensure they comply with regulations while maintaining legal certainty, accountability, and fairness.
"The aspirations of the people must always be taken into account to ensure the resolution process proceeds effectively and in accordance with applicable regulations," the minister said.
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Translator: Imamatul Silfia, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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