Experience in Busang

I would like to recount my experience in Busang, Kutai regency, East Kalimantan on March 8. I would also like to respond to the news that I and two Australian journalists and one Manuntung daily journalist were terrorized by employees of PT WAM. The culprits were actually employed by Bre-X.

Our taxi from the Long Tesak wharf was stopped after some 15 kilometers by four security men and the personnel head of Bre-X. They asked us not to continue our journey. It was agreed that the Australians would be permitted to enter the mining site for discussions with the Bre-X manager.

Bre-X then rescinded on the agreement without a clear reason. The car was stopped again at kilometer 23. We tried to continue our trip but were faced with physical threats.

Bre-X personnel head Idris and security coordinator Antonius threatened to take physical action against us if we continued our journey.

"Why should we let our plate of rice be upset? It is better to confront you. If you persist, you will all go home crippled," said Antonius pushing me.

Although in the end we retreated, they continued to terrorize us at the Long Tesak wharf. A Bre-X employee Junaedi asked us to immediately leave Long Tesak, branding a sickle behind his belt. He swore to kill us if we dared to return to Long Tesak.

I would strongly like to protest Bre-X's behavior. Our group did not intend to visit the Bre-X camp but PT WAH. We had obtained verbal permission from Jusuf Merukh and Bob Hasan in Jakarta.

ANDI M. ASRUN

Jakarta