THE letter, dated October 23, was addressed to Djoko Kirmanto, head of the Sidoarjo Mudflow Control Board (BPLS). Signed by Bambang Mahargyanto, chief executive of PT Minarak Lapindo Jaya, a subsidiary of the Bakrie Group, it asked BPLS to deal not only with the impact of the mudflow on the residents, but also to assist in compensating the victims.

The global financial crisis has hit the finances of Lapindo hard. Lacking liquidity, the energy co