Govt allocates Rp 3.8 billion to resettle Sampit refugees

BANGKALAN, Madura Island (JP): The government, through the Ministry of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure, has allocated Rp 3.8 billion to resettle Madurese refugees who fled their homes in Central and West Kalimantan.

The Madurese fled a wave of attacks on Madurese migrants by native Dayaks.

Minister Erna Witoelar said on Friday when visiting 670 refugee families in the village of Kelbun, Sepulu district, Bangkalan regency -- some 60 kilometers northeast of Surabaya -- that the money would be used to construct simple houses, sewage and drainage systems and roads on plots of land belonging to the refugees' relatives.

There are 370 refugee families from Sambas, West Kalimantan, in Sepulu district. They fled their homes when clashes between Madurese and Dayaks erupted in 1999.

The other 300 families are from Sampit and Palangkaraya who arrived in Madura last month following the "ethnic cleansing" of Madurese migrants. They are all sheltering in their relatives' houses.

The ethnic violence in Sambas claimed the lives of hundreds of Madurese migrants, while at least 400 people, mostly Madurese, were killed in the recent violence in Sampit and Palangkaraya.

"I hope the project will not be tendered. The (tender process) would take time," Erna said, adding that the houses would be built for those Madurese who do not want to return to Kalimantan.

Her ministry, in cooperation with the local administration, will oversee the construction.

"Those who want to return to Kalimantan will also receive financial aid to repair their homes there. The government has emergency funds for such circumstances, but the government's ability is very limited," she said.

Kuwait Ambassador to Indonesia Jamal Al-Nasafi, who accompanied Erna, said his government would provide humanitarian aid for 1,000 refugee families.

Minister Erna also held a discussion with the refugees, many of whom recounted their terrible experiences in Kalimantan.

Rusli, one of the refugees, said his house in Palangkaraya had been burned down by local Dayaks. "We hope the government can provide adequate food for the refugees and help our children receive an education. There is only one elementary school in the village with only three classrooms."

Other refugees said the school had been accommodating 400 children from Sambas since last year. None of the children from Sampit have yet been accepted to the school.

Another refugee from Sampit, Tasan, said the refugees wanted the government to protect their belongings they left behind in Sampit and Palangkaraya.

"We were in Kalimantan to make a legal living. Now we have been killed and thrown out by the locals. Please do something to protect our property there and help us find a way to return (to Kalimantan)," Tasan said.

Erna said the government expected to be able to provide aid to the refugees for six months. "We do not want to make any promises. But sending refugees back to Kalimantan will be the government's priority."

There are 43,000 refugees in the regency of Sampang, 15,700 in Bangkalan and 1,500 in other locations on Madura island. (nur/sur)