Dialog proposed to end unrest in W. Kalimantan

JAKARTA (JP): A Madurese cultural expert called yesterday for a return to peace in the West Kalimantan capital of Pontianak and the surrounding area.

Hendro Sunoyo Sudagung told The Jakarta Post that dialog between the indigenous Dayaks and migrant Madurese was possible through the mediation of the military.

The province was rocked by violence late December when a mob of 5,000 Dayak tribesmen rampaged through Sanggau Ledo district, outside Pontianak, attacking Madurese settlers. The unrest stemmed from a dispute between youths of the two ethnic groups.

Security authorities said the riots claimed five lives and 21 went still missing while thousands had to flee their homes.

Hendro said the enmity against the Madurese people was fueled by the spread of rumors about the death of a Dayak tribesmen stabbed in the dispute.

The province was rocked further by a clash Jan. 29 when masked men attacked a foundation that manages Catholic schools in Siantan Tengah district, wounding two women who lived nearby, damaging the school's three buildings and burning two motorcycles and a truck.

The incidents after the initial riot reflected both groups' frustration in seeking a fair and objective solution to the deep- seated conflict, Hendro said.

Foreign media, quoting unnamed sources, said the clashes had become widespread and caused many casualties, with some reporting the number to have reached "hundreds."

No local civil or military officials could be reached for confirmation yesterday, but West Kalimantan residents said major clashes between Dayaks and Madurese continued until last Friday in the Sambas regency and Sanggau district north of Pontianak.

They also said the city was "calm but tense", with neighborhood patrols on the streets at night.

Hendro said a number of other rumors had worried the community, including one which said roads to Sanggau Ledo had been blocked by Dayaks and another that there had been attacks Moslems in Pontianak during the Idul Fitri holiday.

Hendro said that, contrary to the public misperception of Madurese being pampered because they received government assistance, the migrants had sailed on their own boats to West Kalimantan, a venture financed by themselves or their families.

Hendro said many of them worked as farmers, pedicab and minibus drivers, street workers and sailors.

Trade rivalry

Separately, Marcel Beding, an Indonesian Democratic Party House of Representatives member from West Kalimantan, said the Madurese and Dayaks had developed an intense business rivalry.

"There have been some sporadic conflicts stemming from competition for business spaces between indigenous people and migrants," said Marcel.

He was skeptical that the battle for business areas was the only reason for the growing violence and enmity. "The authorities need as comprehensive information as possible to explain what caused the riots," he said.

Marcel said the recent joint statement by 15 community leaders, that religious sentiment had not played a role in the continuing clashes as no more than an attempt to calm down society.

"Official statements should not discount any factors, including religious ones, that might have triggered the riots," he said.

Marcel said his sources in Pontianak had confirmed that hundreds of people had been killed in the riots which broke out in December.

He plans to visit Pontianak to collect first-hand facts this weekend. "I have urged the House to carry out an investigation there, but flight scarcity during the Idul Fitri holiday has precluded the plan," he said.

A social and political observer from the Semarang-based Diponegoro University, Kahar Badjuri, called on the military yesterday to punish severely those involved in public unrest.

Kahar was commenting on Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung's promise to take stern action against those convicted of inciting riots.

"Repression by the military is allowed during chaos, even in a democratic country. However, it should be a temporary measure, pending the settlement of the unrest," said Kahar.

Political scientist Amien Syukur of Semarang's Walisongo State Institute of Islamic Studies, echoed Kahar's view, saying military repression was needed in the event of widespread lawbreaking.

"The stern action must apply to everybody, including military personnel who are found guilty of involvement in the riots," he said.

Another observer, Susilo Utomo, said that stern action should not be taken for granted as a way to handle the riots. "The military has to heed ideas from social and legal scientists. This will both settle the problems and prevent their repetition," he said. (01/har/amd)