ABRI to probe West Kalimantan rioting impartially

ABRI to probe West Kalimantan rioting impartially

JAKARTA (JP): The military is promising to act impartially in
its investigation into the alleged instigators of the ethnic
unrest in West Kalimantan.

Armed Forces Sociopolitical Affairs Chief Lt. Gen. Syarwan
Hamid said yesterday the military would question everybody
thought to be involved in the upheavals, work only with facts and
not be prejudiced against any social or political groups.

Syarwan reiterated the military's stance on the ongoing
tension in West Kalimantan after addressing a meeting of the
alumni of the Association of Islamic Students.

He also commented on Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono's
statement on Monday that the clash between native West Kalimantan
Dayak tribesmen and the migrant Madurese, from East Java, was
instigated by a group of East Java people. The group of four
people, according to another military officer, have been
questioned by the police.

Hartono's statement provoked a harsh reaction in some
quarters, including ulemas from Madura, who believed it
insinuated the unrest was related to certain religious or
political organizations. Yesterday, Hartono retracted the
statement, saying people should have asked him for clarification
before reacting so vehemently.

Pontianak and a number of regencies surrounding the capital of
West Kalimantan have for the past two months been gripped by fear
as the two ethnic groups clashed in many places.

Speculations

Syarwan denied speculation that the latter unrest involved any
political organizations.

"Those involved in the riots were individuals. They are indeed
registered as members or officials of certain political
organizations but it does not mean their parties were involved,"
he said.

The unrest first broke out in December when thousands of
Dayaks went on a rampage following a brawl between Dayak and
Madurese youths over a woman. At least five people were killed in
the ensuing violence.

The second wave of clashes started on Jan. 29, less than a
month after the Dayaks and Madurese reached a peace agreement.
The death toll from this unrest is said to number in the
hundreds.

Efforts to establish peace have been conducted, with the
latest attempt being a peace ceremony attended by representatives
of the two ethnic groups, military officers and civilian
officials. But tension remains high.

More violence occurred Tuesday in Sungai Kunyit, some 60
kilometers northwest of Pontianak. The military has reportedly
arrested 86 people over the unrest, in which 107 houses were
torched, forcing more than 1,000 people to flee to other areas.

Security forces also confiscated 21 muskets and 96 bladed
weapons. The Merdeka daily said that 12 of those detained were
being questioned by the military while the rest were in police
detention.

It also quoted Tanjungpura Military Commander Maj. Gen.
Namoeri Anoem as saying he was "deeply concerned" about Tuesday's
clash. He also said the clashes were "only sporadic," adding the
attackers had come from inland areas. (imn/swe)