Arrests follow forest dispute in Kalimantan

JAKARTA (JP): Continuing conflicts between indigenous people and forest concessionaires in West Kalimantan have resulted in rioting and the arrest of some villagers, the Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI) said yesterday.

Walhi executive director M.S. Zulkarnaen told journalists, after reporting the incident to Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo, that several people were arrested following the burning of a bridge and a base camp by angry mobs last month.

The dispute occurred after concessionaires forced the local Dayak tribe people to leave their land in Sandai, Ketapang regency, West Kalimantan, Zulkarnaen said.

Mediation efforts by the local government failed and intervention of security agencies have made things worse, he added.

The conflicts involved the owners of the timber estate, including PT Hutan Raya Utama, PT Lingga Tedjawana, PT Tri Ikasari, PT Inhutani III and PT Gudang Garam.

He said similar conflicts also occurred in East Kalimantan, South Sumatra, North Sumatra, South East Sulawesi and Irian Jaya.

He pleaded with Minister Djamaludin to order the companies to stop their logging activities pending settlements satisfactory to all parties concerned.

The minister in response said he would investigate the allegations but declined to stop the activities of the timber estates.

Emmy Hafild, another WALHI executive, said the minister agreed to set up a special forum to settle such disputes. This forum would also discuss how to improve the government policies on timber estates.

WALHI has also suggested that the indigenous people be given the opportunity to utilize the forest under the supervision of the forestry ministry's companies. (sim)