Govt to study villagers' complaint

Govt to study villagers' complaint

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The provincial administration will
look into complaints by 750 residents of Gunung Agung village
about a private company's plan to appropriate their land.

Antara reported yesterday that 12 representatives of the
villagers, upset because of the plan, recently lodged a protest
with the provincial legislative council. The villagers claimed
they did not know the land they have been living on for decades
was part of a production forest area.

"We have been asked to let go of our farmland because it's
going to be converted into a plantation of lamtoro gung but we
refuse," one farmer said.

The farmer was referring to the local name of the Leucaena
glauca, a fast-growing tree used for firewood and fodder.

"We wouldn't be able to earn a living for our families if we
stop working on the land and instead work for the company," the
farmer said. (swe)