E. Kalimantan projects secured

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Police are ready to protect a number of key projects in the province following a recent outbreak of violence near coal producer PT Kaltim Prima Coal in Sangata, East Kutai.

"We are ready to deploy more troops to help the police. But the police have said the situation has returned to normal," local military commander Col. Rudy Landung said on Saturday.

Rudy said the projects to be protected included fertilizer producer PT Pupuk Kaltim and liquefied natural gas producer PT Badak, both in Bontang, and several other companies such as the Australian firm Kaltim Prima Coal.

The unrest at the coal mining firm, which broke out on Thursday, was believed to have originated from a personal dispute among its workers before it escalated into an ethnic clash, Antara reported.

A man, identified as Mustapa, was killed during the mass brawl which involved East Nusa Tenggara migrants and local residents.

At least six shelters of the company's contractors, which accommodated 50 families, were burned down on Friday night. (jun)