Arrests follow forest dispute in Kalimantan<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Continuing conflicts between indigenous people
\nand forest concessionaires in West Kalimantan have resulted in
\nrioting and the arrest of some villagers, the Indonesian Forum
\nfor Environment (WALHI) said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Walhi executive director M.S. Zulkarnaen told journalists,
\nafter reporting the incident to Minister of Forestry Djamaludin
\nSuryohadikusumo, that several people were arrested following the
\nburning of a bridge and a base camp by angry mobs last month.<\/p>\n
The dispute occurred after concessionaires forced the local
\nDayak tribe people to leave their land in Sandai, Ketapang
\nregency, West Kalimantan, Zulkarnaen said.<\/p>\n
Mediation efforts by the local government failed and
\nintervention of security agencies have made things worse, he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
The conflicts involved the owners of the timber estate,
\nincluding PT Hutan Raya Utama, PT Lingga Tedjawana, PT Tri
\nIkasari, PT Inhutani III and PT Gudang Garam.<\/p>\n
He said similar conflicts also occurred in East Kalimantan,
\nSouth Sumatra, North Sumatra, South East Sulawesi and Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
He pleaded with Minister Djamaludin to order the companies to
\nstop their logging activities pending settlements satisfactory to
\nall parties concerned.<\/p>\n
The minister in response said he would investigate the
\nallegations but declined to stop the activities of the timber
\nestates.<\/p>\n
Emmy Hafild, another WALHI executive, said the minister agreed
\nto set up a special forum to settle such disputes. This forum
\nwould also discuss how to improve the government policies on
\ntimber estates.<\/p>\n
WALHI has also suggested that the indigenous people be given
\nthe opportunity to utilize the forest under the supervision of
\nthe forestry ministry's companies. (sim)<\/p>",
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