Border area development 'must involve locals'

JAKARTA (JP): Development in border areas must involve the residents there, Minister of Defense Edi Sudrajat said in Sanggau, West Kalimantan, yesterday.

Edi said the employment of local people in projects in the areas by developers would encourage solidarity among the people and encourage them to feel responsible for the safety of the projects.

"Public participation will strengthen brotherhood and promote unity among people regardless of their origin, ethnicity or religion," said Edi, also chief of the Controlling Board for Development in Border Areas.

Edi was speaking at the launching of industrial forest estate and palm oil plantation projects in the Pemodis Balai Karangan village, 600 kilometers north of Pontianak.

Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo, West Kalimantan Governor Aspar Aswin and Chief of Tanjungpura Military Command overseeing Kalimantan Maj. Gen. Namuri Anoem were also present.

The opening ceremony of the plantation projects marked the first appearance of top government officials in the province since the year-end ethnic riots in the Sanggau Ledo district.

The riots in West Kalimantan capped a series of public unrests throughout the country over the past three months.

Edi said that development along the border areas formed part of the government's efforts to enhance national resilience.

"A wealthy border area will give its people a comfortable atmosphere which will help them develop the resilience and strength they need to cope with all challenges," said Edi, quoted Antara.

Djamaludin said, in a meeting with local people afterward, the industrial forest estate and palm oil plantations were introduced to replace the old slash-and-burn land cultivation techniques.

"The slash-and-burn method must be replaced by the management of natural resources," Djamaludin said.

He warned local farmers not to be tempted by strangers asking them to leave their lands in exchange for money.

The palm oil plantation projects will cover 30 hectares in the Pontianak and Sanggau regencies. The industrial forest estate project will be built on 20 hectares at Sanggau.

A joint venture between local firm PT Jamaker Kalbar Jaya and Hutan Mas Sari will carry out the projects. (amd)