Buyat Bay residents get cold welcome

Jongker Rumteh, The Jakarta Post, Buyat

Some 66 families living in Buyat Bay decided to take their fate in their own hands, relocating from their homes in Ratatotok district, South Minahasa regency to a new location in Duminanga subdistrict in Bolaang Mangondow regency, some 130 kilometers away.

The relocation of the families which was done with the assistance of a number of relief agencies and 15 NGOs grouped under the Buyat Bay Humanitarian Committee (KKTB), was against the regental, as well as the provincial administration plan, which had earlier designated another location proposed by the central government's task force.

However, some 24 families decided to stay, despite the fact that the bay area is allegedly being used to dispose of tailings by a giant gold mining company.

Before being transported to their new homes, Buyat Pante villagers started dismantling their homes and even burning them down.

"We have to burn down our own houses as a symbol that we won't return to the area again as there is nothing that we can hope for anymore there. We're certain that our fate will improve in Duminanga because the area is not polluted," said Mansyur Lombonaung, a community figure in Buyat Bay and the relocation coordinator.

The program was financed wholly by the KKTB without any government facilitation, while the Kelola Manado Foundation, spearheaded by Rignolda Djamaluddin, acted as advocate in the program which took place on June 25.

Rignolda told The Jakarta Post that during the demolition of homes by residents in Buyat Bay, KKTB had reclaimed a three- hectare plot of land from its owners in Duminanga.

Barracks -- capable of accommodating some 269 people and equipped with lavatory and washing facilities as well as a public kitchen -- have been built on the plot of land. So far, the barracks are only 90 percent complete.

"The residents will continue to build the unfinished part. The important thing is that residents must be immediately relocated to save their lives," said Rignolda.

He said the KKTB would provide residents with all their needs for three months, but declined to comment further on the continuity of the aid.

Chairman of the KKTB central committee, Muliadi Mokodompit, however, gave an unclear answer on the provision of funds for the relocated residents when asked by the Post by phone on Monday. He said the three-month aid provision was sufficient since the residents were expected to be self-reliant within that period.

"I expect they will already be self-sufficient in three months time and can fulfill their basic needs, but we will continue to monitor the situation. I cannot reveal the amount of funds allocated as yet," said Muliadi.

Both Muliadi and Rignolda said it was the residents who had demanded to be relocated since they felt insecure living in the area which allegedly had been polluted by hazardous waste. The organization only facilitated the residents' wishes.

"The Buyat Bay residents are still facing the threat of pollution and they wish to be immediately relocated from the area. They feel they can no longer fulfill their daily needs as their health and earnings have been affected," Muliadi said.

Head of Ratatotok district, Ronny Suwarno, who is also in charge of the Buyat Pante village, said his office helped supervising the relocation but was not directly involved in the matter since it was not in accordance with the government's plan.

Ronny said the South Minahasa regental administration had actually prepared an area in the neighboring village of Tatengesan, Belang district in South Minahasa regency for the Buyat Pante residents but they rejected it.

"The location in Belang district has been prepared by the central government's task force which had conducted a feasibility study here earlier," said Ronny.

Meanwhile, residents and the Bolaang Mangondow regental administration office were surprised when 66 families of Buyat Bay residents arrived in Duminanga village at about 7 p.m.

Bolaang Mongondow Regent Marlina Moha Siahaan said her office had not been notified about the relocation plan.

"We have never discussed the matter with the KKTB. Why have they suddenly appeared here?" said the first female regent in North Sulawesi.

Marlina said she had no objection, but it had not yet been approved by the regental administration.

"I praise the concern shown by KKTB in relocating Buyat Bay residents, but it should first be reviewed comprehensively, because, if not, it would cause them problems," said Marlina.

Duminanga residents said they were surprised by the arrival of hundreds of Buyat Bay people, accusing the KKTB of trying to gain something from the program.

"KKTB is incompetent. It even goes beyond procedures to gain money by raising the humanitarian issue, while it doesn't know whether those relocated will suffer more in Duminanga," said Alsidik Gobel, a community leader in Bolaang Uki.

He said the location in Duminanga was not suitable to live in since the swampy area was swarming with malaria-carrying mosquitos.

In a report signed by various element of the Bolaang Uki community which was delivered to the regent, they stated their reluctance about the relocation and urged the KKTB to be fully responsible for the livelihood of the relocated residents.

They also urged the regental, provincial and the central governments to first inform them of any decisions made before relocating people to the area.