Timika tense over trust fund<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Harapan Kwamki Lama village in Timika, Irian
\nJaya, was tense yesterday as tribal leaders were at odds over a
\nshare of the trust fund given by PT Freeport Indonesia Company.<\/p>\n
Armed with spears, arrows, machetes and axes, around 70
\nsupporters of Musa Janampa -- a Moni leader of the Suhonabu
\nfoundation -- ran noisily around the village shouting out their
\ndemand that another Moni leader, Fidelis Zonggonau of the Yapemo
\nfoundation, split the Rp 2.3 billion (US$800,000) with them.<\/p>\n
Church sources said no direct confrontations occurred but
\nlocal authorities and military personnel were on high alert. At
\ncertain moments supporters seemed ready for a physical clash.<\/p>\n
Leading church groups in Timika rejected in a statement last
\nweek the trust fund and warned they would not intervene should
\nsomething happen regarding its disbursement.<\/p>\n
None of PT Freeport's personnel were seen at the location,
\nchurch sources said.<\/p>\n
The giant mining company had set up a trust fund in which they
\nwould allocate one percent of their earnings for the development
\nof tribes in the region.<\/p>\n
Church groups claimed, however, that the first phase of
\ndisbursement earlier this year neglected several tribes who were
\nentitled to it.<\/p>\n
Janampa and his supporters -- representing four clans of
\nSugapa, Homeo, Bugalaga, Nabia -- threatened to kill Fidelis if
\nthey were not given a share of the money disbursed to him.<\/p>\n
Fidelis' foundation was identified by the government as one of
\nthose entitled to a share of the trust fund, a claim rejected by
\nJanampa. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/timika-tense-over-trust-fund-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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