Community chiefs seek stronger bargaining stand<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of community representatives from
\nacross the archipelago have descended on the heart of the capital
\nfor a week-long gathering, slated to end Sunday.<\/p>\n
Informal leaders from Aceh, Kampung Naga in West Java, Irian
\nJaya -- referred to as West Papua by its representatives --
\nLombok in West Nusa Tenggara, Riau and Tana Toraja, South
\nSulawesi were among those who addressed talks on community
\nrights.<\/p>\n
In separate groups in which some 250 participants shared
\nstories and views, they heard, among many other things, the
\nrejection by Kampung Naga residents of the promotion of their
\nunique area as a tourism object, and the expressed surprise of
\nthe Irianese that they were not the only ones being discriminated
\nagainst in the country.<\/p>\n
The gathering organized by 13 non-government organizations
\ncomprised discussions starting Monday and a congress of
\n\"customary communities of Nusantara\" from Wednesday to Sunday.<\/p>\n
Chairwoman of the organizers, Arimbi Heroepoetri of the
\nIndonesian Environment Forum (Walhi), said the event at the Hotel
\nIndonesia aimed at improving the bargaining position of
\nindigenous communities in the country. It was planned last year
\nand is the first of its kind, she said.<\/p>\n
\"We are calling this forum that of the communities of
\nNusantara, not Indonesia,\" she said, referring to the 'earlier'
\nterm for the archipelago. A statement from the organizers said
\nthe existence of indigenous communities had been sidestepped by
\nthe Indonesia nation-state through the laws on forestry, mining,
\nfisheries and transmigration, while the founding fathers had
\nactually recognized the diversity.<\/p>\n
While communities make up the largest element in the
\nIndonesian nation state, organizers said \"in national political
\ndecisions the existence of these customary communities has ...
\nbeen systematically marginalized from the national political
\nagenda.\"<\/p>\n
Participants had previously attended regional consultations,
\nthe results of which were brought to the Jakarta forum. An
\norganizer said one purpose of the event would be to provide input
\nto the ongoing deliberations on the draft bill on regional
\nautonomy in the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Participants on Monday split into groups focusing on land
\nrights, human rights, autonomy and women's issues, among other
\nthings.<\/p>\n
Thea Mamoyao from Timika in Irian Jaya, said in the women's
\ngroup that while male leaders were talking of autonomy or
\nindependence from the government, \"we women want first to be
\nindependent within our own customary laws.\"<\/p>\n
A separate group for women was seen as crucial in highlighting
\nfor instance, inheritance rights for women, before they joined
\nother groups Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Participants, several of them wearing traditional costumes,
\nwere passionate in exchanging stories of their resistance to the
\nmilitary, business corporations and government officials, and
\nwere also amused that now several were suggesting independence.<\/p>\n
On Monday Riau province was scheduled to announce its
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
In response to such suggestions sociologist Thamrin Amal
\nTomagola told the forum on human rights that things may still be
\nworked out within the existing unitary framework.<\/p>\n
Various abuses of power reported in the group, he said, were
\nnot the fault of the state, but of the greedy among those in
\npower, mainly the former first family and all those who had
\nfailed to stand up to them. (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/community-chiefs-seek-stronger-bargaining-stand-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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