Aceh, Less the Glory of Gas

FOR three decades, the north coast of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province thrived on natural gas. Some 17.1 trillion cubic feet of gas lies within the bowels of Aceh. This buried treasure sustained the gas industry, as well as a number of other industries that rely on natural gas, such as fertilizers and pulp. The north coast of Aceh was like a magnet for thousands of jobseekers in the country as well as abroad. But the reserves of natural gas are disappearing. Some factories are now on their last legs. Thousands of workers are jobless, and thousands of others are on the verge of losing their jobs. The formerly lively gas towns are now faded, dead, and poor. For two weeks, Tempo reporter Ali Anwar documented life on the Aceh north coast that has now lost its glorious mantle of gas. The following is his report.