Farmers stake their claim

SEMARANG: About 2,000 farmers from five villages in Ambarawa district near here rallied at the provincial legislative council on Wednesday to demand rights to use 250 hectares of land taken away from them by the New Order government.

"During the New Order era the plot was taken over by military members and a Chinese-descent businessman but it was left uncultivated ever since," Sutrisno, the group's coordinator, said.

The residents came from Bandungan, Kenteng, Ampel Gading, Talun Candi and Sumber Candi villages.

"We want the land back for our better future," he told a legislator, who promised to discuss the matter soon.

The group threatened to occupy the land by force if their demand was left unheeded. (har/edt)