Transmigration policy for Irian under attack<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The transmigration minister and an
\nenvironmentalist were up in arms yesterday over the government's
\nresettlement policy in Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
Minister Siswono Yudohusodo insisted that the sparsely
\npopulated Irian Jaya needed more settlers from Java to speed up
\ndevelopment there.<\/p>\n
But Emmy Hafild, chief of the Indonesian Forum for Environment
\n(Walhi), argued that the influx of resettlers would only threaten
\nthe less educated Irian natives.<\/p>\n
The lively debate raged during a symposium on the government-
\nsponsored transmigration program organized by the Irian Jaya
\nYouth Communication Forum.<\/p>\n
Siswono said Irian Jaya needed more technology, investment,
\nmodern management and a bigger population, to develop its rich
\nnatural resources.<\/p>\n
"Irian Jaya has too few people. If we build schools, they will
\nlack students. If we build markets, there will be nothing to
\nsell. And building roads would be very costly," he said.<\/p>\n
According to government statistics, at 421,981 square
\nkilometers Irian Jaya is Indonesia's largest province but has a
\npopulation of only 2 million.<\/p>\n
Since 1964, a year after it became part of Indonesia, the
\ngovernment has made Irian Jaya a major transmigrant destination.
\nThis year it is earmarked as the second main destination after
\nCentral Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
Critics say that although the transmigration program has
\nbrought about economic development, it threatens the indigenous
\nculture and has sparked social envy.<\/p>\n
"None of the indigenous villages in Irian Jaya have ever
\nreceived the special treatment accorded to the new settlers'
\nvillages," said secretary of the communication forum Hengky Yoku.
\n"The program has not improved the locals' standard of living nor
\ntheir skills."<\/p>\n
Siswono admitted that the program had negative impacts.
\n"Honestly, the progress of the transmigration program is still
\nfar from meeting our targets. I am one of those most dissatisfied
\nby its progress, but it has been beneficial too," Siswono said.<\/p>\n
He said through the program Irian Jaya now had 3,000 km of new
\nroads, 103 new bridges and other facilities. The government since
\n1964 had moved more than 246,000 people from Java to the island
\nand will shift another 110,000 migrants by 1999.<\/p>\n
Emmy Hafild, known as an ardent critic of the program, said
\nthe scheme would make Irian Jaya natives a minority in their own
\nhomeland.<\/p>\n
She said that at present migrants already constitute 20
\npercent of Irian Jaya's population and the newcomers are
\npolitically and economically dominant.<\/p>\n
"If the government really wants to improve the Irianese
\npeople's well-being, it should improve the health, status and
\nskills of the indigenous people first.<\/p>\n
"For the time being, we need to stop the program. If it
\ncontinues, Irianese who cannot compete with the outsiders will
\nalways be left behind," she said.<\/p>\n
Emmy said that the transmigration program in Irian Jaya was
\ntoo forceful, bringing with it culture shock for locals. "If the
\nmodern way is being forced too much, it will only create a
\nrevolution in the Irianese way of life. And this will wipe them
\nout." (36)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/transmigration-policy-for-irian-under-attack-1447893297",
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