Border area development 'must involve locals'

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)