Dayak culture under threat

PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: Dayak tribal leaders called on the provincial government yesterday to establish an institution to protect the rights of indigenous people.

KMA M. Usop, chairman of the Dayak Consultative Body, told Antara the proposed institution was urgent. The institution, he said, was needed to ensure indigenous people were not neglected in the development process.

"Dayak people do not have a proper institution to channel their aspirations although they have a demang (government- appointed representative) in every subdistrict," he said.

Local observers say the demang cannot perform their duties as expected because they are paid by the government.

Dayak tribes people have frequently been embroiled in disputes with newcomers from other provinces over land ownership. (pan)