Kalimantan people called on to accept returning migrants<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien
\nRais appealed on Sunday for a harmonious coexistence between
\nindigenous people and migrants to maintain the nation's unity.<\/p>\n
Speaking in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Amien asked the
\nlocal people of areas torn by ethnic conflict to accept fellow
\nresidents who were displaced by the violence.<\/p>\n
\"I hope that the people and local administrations are willing
\nto accept the return of expelled migrants as our brothers in this
\nnation. They have the right to live anywhere in this country,\" he
\ntold Antara on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Amien was in Banjarmasin to install the executives of the
\nSouth Kalimantan chapter of the National Mandate Party (PAN),
\nwhich he also chairs.<\/p>\n
He was commenting on the locals' rejection of the return of
\nMadurese migrants who had sought refuge following an outbreak of
\nviolence between people of Dayak origin and the migrants last
\nMarch.<\/p>\n
Amien called for further talks among the people and reminded
\nthem that no one in the nation should reject their brothers from
\nother parts of the country just because they were once in
\nconflict.<\/p>\n
\"Should the province of Aceh be only open to the Acehnese,
\nMadura to the Madurese and Irian Jaya to the Irianese, then
\nIndonesia would disintegrate and divide into small powerless
\nnations, which could easily become the playthings of bigger
\ncountries,\" he argued.<\/p>\n
Madurese migrants returning from their villages in East Java
\nare staying in Banjarmasin, about 30 kilometers from their
\ndestination.<\/p>\n
Most have been staying at Trisakti seaport since last week,
\nafter locals and the administration rejected their entry for
\nsecurity reasons.<\/p>\n
In a related development, Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar
\nChamsyah said on Friday that the people of Central Kalimantan did
\nnot object to the return of the Madurese. \"But they need more
\ntime, pending a letup to the situation.\"<\/p>\n
Bachtiar made the statement following a meeting with the local
\nadministrations, prominent figures and leaders held in the Kapuas
\nregency capital of Kuala Kapuas, Central Kalimantan on Friday
\nevening.<\/p>\n
He asked Madurese migrants to find the best time to return and
\nto wait for the completion of the bylaw on demography now before
\nthe local administration. The bylaw is expected to be able to
\nresolve the refugee problem.<\/p>\n
He also expressed Jakarta's hope for a solution to the refugee
\nproblem.<\/p>\n
Almost 1.3 million Madurese migrants have been displaced in 19
\nprovinces during the last two years, forcing both local and
\ncentral governments to spend over Rp 800 billion (some US$88
\nmillion).<\/p>\n
The bylaw is slated to be submitted to the legislative council
\nby the end of September.<\/p>\n
Central Kalimantan Governor Asmawi Agani said three areas,
\nincluding the regencies of Kotawaringin Timur, Kapuas and the
\ncity of Palangkaraya, were closed to the possibility of returning
\nMadurese migrants.<\/p>\n
However, he said, there was still hope for them as the Central
\nKalimantan People's Congress suggested the establishment of the
\nbylaw on demography last June. (08\/32\/bby)<\/p>",
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