Community chiefs seek stronger bargaining stand
JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of community representatives from across the archipelago have descended on the heart of the capital for a week-long gathering, slated to end Sunday.
Informal leaders from Aceh, Kampung Naga in West Java, Irian Jaya -- referred to as West Papua by its representatives -- Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara, Riau and Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi were among those who addressed talks on community rights.
In separate groups in which some 250 participants shared stories and views, they heard, among many other things, the rejection by Kampung Naga residents of the promotion of their unique area as a tourism object, and the expressed surprise of the Irianese that they were not the only ones being discriminated against in the country.
The gathering organized by 13 non-government organizations comprised discussions starting Monday and a congress of "customary communities of Nusantara" from Wednesday to Sunday.
Chairwoman of the organizers, Arimbi Heroepoetri of the Indonesian Environment Forum (Walhi), said the event at the Hotel Indonesia aimed at improving the bargaining position of indigenous communities in the country. It was planned last year and is the first of its kind, she said.
"We are calling this forum that of the communities of Nusantara, not Indonesia," she said, referring to the 'earlier' term for the archipelago. A statement from the organizers said the existence of indigenous communities had been sidestepped by the Indonesia nation-state through the laws on forestry, mining, fisheries and transmigration, while the founding fathers had actually recognized the diversity.
While communities make up the largest element in the Indonesian nation state, organizers said "in national political decisions the existence of these customary communities has ... been systematically marginalized from the national political agenda."
Participants had previously attended regional consultations, the results of which were brought to the Jakarta forum. An organizer said one purpose of the event would be to provide input to the ongoing deliberations on the draft bill on regional autonomy in the House of Representatives.
Participants on Monday split into groups focusing on land rights, human rights, autonomy and women's issues, among other things.
Thea Mamoyao from Timika in Irian Jaya, said in the women's group that while male leaders were talking of autonomy or independence from the government, "we women want first to be independent within our own customary laws."
A separate group for women was seen as crucial in highlighting for instance, inheritance rights for women, before they joined other groups Tuesday.
Participants, several of them wearing traditional costumes, were passionate in exchanging stories of their resistance to the military, business corporations and government officials, and were also amused that now several were suggesting independence.
On Monday Riau province was scheduled to announce its independence.
In response to such suggestions sociologist Thamrin Amal Tomagola told the forum on human rights that things may still be worked out within the existing unitary framework.
Various abuses of power reported in the group, he said, were not the fault of the state, but of the greedy among those in power, mainly the former first family and all those who had failed to stand up to them. (anr)