Civil emergency seen as unlikely in Sampit

JAKARTA (JP): Upon her return to Jakarta after her brief visit to the riot-torn towns of Sampit and Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri said on Thursday that the imposition of a state of civil emergency in the troubled towns was unlikely as things had now returned to normal.

"I'm glad that the local legislature and administration do not have to impose a state of civil emergency there," Megawati told a press briefing at the Halim Perdanakusuma air base.

House of Representatives' Speaker Akbar Tandjung, House deputy speaker Sutardjo Soerjoguritno, Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Surjadi Soedirdja and the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S. had accompanied Megawati to Kalimantan.

Expressing her concern that many Indonesians had lost their spirit of unity, Megawati urged the people to help the Madurese refugees, most of whom had fled to East Java, and to ease their suffering.

"There is much we can do to help them," Megawati said, adding that in the near future she would go to East Java to visit the more than 15,000 Madurese who had sought refuge there since "ethnic cleansing" directed against the Madurese erupted almost two weeks ago.

She reiterated that the bloodshed in Sampit and Palangkaraya had nothing to do with religion.

Earlier at Tjilik Riwut airport in Palangkaraya, Akbar called on Madurese refugees to gradually return to their homes so as to try to pick up the pieces of their lives again.

He also called on those who had not yet left Sampit and Palangkaraya to cancel their plans.

Still in Jakarta, Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Thursday that the government would further consider whether relocating the Madurese migrants out of Central Kalimantan was still necessary given that the situation was improving.

Speaking to reporters after submitting the State Defense Bill to the House, Susilo said that several Dayak community leaders told him in Sampit and Palangkaraya that the Madurese migrants were still accepted.

"The Dayak people can still accept the Madurese migrants as long as the government can guarantee a community-building program so as to prevent further fatal conflicts," he added.

Susilo said that another four battalions from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and a battalion from the police Mobile Brigade would be deployed there notwithstanding the improving situation.

Separately, National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro said that the police were questioning 81 people over the slaying of hundreds of Madurese people.

Unconfirmed reports said that the death toll has hit 469, with 30 people injured.

Bimantoro said that the roads linking Sampit to Palangkaraya and Palangkaraya to Banjarmasin (East Kalimantan) were save for motorists.

Separately, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police had agreed to divide up the area into separate zones of responsibility for the police and army so as to avoid further clashes between soldiers and police officers.

The deal was reached following a gunfight between them three days ago at Sampit seaport.

"TNI headquarters has agreed to deploy its troops in Palangkaraya and Pangkalanbun, while the Police troopers will be deployed in Sampit," Endriartono told the press after chairing a closed-door meeting of 95 top Army officers at Army headquarters.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesian Air Force chief Air Marshal Hanafie Asnan said that five Hercules military transport planes had been sent to Central Kalimantan to transport displaced persons.

Refugees

Meanwhile, three more refugees in a camp in Sampit regency died on Thursday, bringing the number of fatalities among the refugees to seven this week.

Red Cross data indicates that some 1,000 Madurese were still hiding out in the forest. Their current condition is likely to be critical.

While hundreds of dead bodies have already been buried, residents were horrified to find 12 more bodies in water channels.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) Achmad Djojosugito urged a quick restoration of security in the area.

"Our doctors and paramedics are striving to help these victims of violence and they are risking their lives, too. It's our duty to do so but it will be a great comfort if security conditions are improved," he said.

His association has been sending more doctors and paramedics to Central Kalimantan.

"At least there are 17 doctors and paramedics available. We want to send more but we cannot force them to go to conflict zones," he said.

"Besides that, we are also working together with the Ministry of Health and the Red Cross on the handling of no less than 10,000 refugees who have fled the conflicts to both Surabaya and Semarang," Achmad said.

"Of the wounded, three of them are in critical condition," he said, adding that there were still around 25,000 refugees in Sampit who were suffering from serious water, medicine and food shortages.

"Everyday there are batches of new refugees coming out of their jungle hiding places," he added. (team)