Border area development 'must involve locals'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Development in border areas must involve the
\nresidents there, Minister of Defense Edi Sudrajat said in
\nSanggau, West Kalimantan, yesterday.<\/p>\n
Edi said the employment of local people in projects in the
\nareas by developers would encourage solidarity among the people
\nand encourage them to feel responsible for the safety of the
\nprojects.<\/p>\n
"Public participation will strengthen brotherhood and promote
\nunity among people regardless of their origin, ethnicity or
\nreligion," said Edi, also chief of the Controlling Board for
\nDevelopment in Border Areas.<\/p>\n
Edi was speaking at the launching of industrial forest estate
\nand palm oil plantation projects in the Pemodis Balai Karangan
\nvillage, 600 kilometers north of Pontianak.<\/p>\n
Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo, West
\nKalimantan Governor Aspar Aswin and Chief of Tanjungpura Military
\nCommand overseeing Kalimantan Maj. Gen. Namuri Anoem were also
\npresent.<\/p>\n
The opening ceremony of the plantation projects marked the
\nfirst appearance of top government officials in the province
\nsince the year-end ethnic riots in the Sanggau Ledo district.<\/p>\n
The riots in West Kalimantan capped a series of public unrests
\nthroughout the country over the past three months.<\/p>\n
Edi said that development along the border areas formed part
\nof the government's efforts to enhance national resilience.<\/p>\n
"A wealthy border area will give its people a comfortable
\natmosphere which will help them develop the resilience and
\nstrength they need to cope with all challenges," said Edi, quoted
\nAntara.<\/p>\n
Djamaludin said, in a meeting with local people afterward, the
\nindustrial forest estate and palm oil plantations were introduced
\nto replace the old slash-and-burn land cultivation techniques.<\/p>\n
"The slash-and-burn method must be replaced by the management
\nof natural resources," Djamaludin said.<\/p>\n
He warned local farmers not to be tempted by strangers asking
\nthem to leave their lands in exchange for money.<\/p>\n
The palm oil plantation projects will cover 30 hectares in the
\nPontianak and Sanggau regencies. The industrial forest estate
\nproject will be built on 20 hectares at Sanggau.<\/p>\n
A joint venture between local firm PT Jamaker Kalbar Jaya and
\nHutan Mas Sari will carry out the projects. (amd)<\/p>",
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