Kalimantan community demands fair treatment

JAKARTA (JP): Kalimantan community representatives declared on Sunday their allegiance to the state but issued a carefully worded demand for more recognition from the government.

Signing the 17-point declaration were Z.A. Maulani, chairman of the All-Indonesian Kalimantan Community, who is also the head of the State Intelligence Coordinating Board, Oesman Sapta, E. Alamsyah, A.A. Machrany and Ilham Asid, who are respected figures from West, Central, South and East Kalimantan.

The declaration was issued after the community held its two- day congress here, Antara reported. The congress was titled "United Kalimantan For Sustainable Development".

The declaration of loyalty to the unitary state quelled suggestions that calls for separation might emanate from the province, following calls made in Aceh in North Sumatra and Irian Jaya.

Up to 30,000 West Kalimantan residents have fled ethnic clashes in Sambas regency. The conflict has claimed at least 200 lives.

"The congress also urges that all laws on political matters, such as elections, political parties and legislative bodies, the law on regional autonomy and fiscal balance be implemented honestly and fairly," the declaration said.

The congress claimed to represent 11 million people living in the country's largest, resource-rich, but sparsely-populated province.

Over the past decades, locals have accused Jakarta of unfair income distribution generated from exploitation of the province's resources.

Activists have long condemned the environmental destruction brought about by exploitation of natural resources by many politically well-connected companies.

The declaration said the Kalimantan community demanded their people's economy be "empowered" and that the province be developed into a new economic center that could also benefit locals.

"The congress is also set to advance the dignity and respect of the Kalimantan community who stand equal to others within the new democratic, participative Indonesia that upholds the supremacy of law," the declaration said.

The congress called on all legislative members at the regency and provincial levels to work to absorb public aspirations in their respective constituencies.

"They must fight for the interests of the Kalimantan community together with the local administration, and they must appoint governors, regents and mayors who can lead with the vision and mission of the Kalimantan community."

The congress agreed to establish a communication forum, the Communication Forum for Kalimantan Development, to increase participation in developing the island and its people.

Maulani, who is a retired Army lieutenant general, said the congress did not discuss "practical political matters".

The congress concentrated on "strategic issues" concerning development of the island, said Maulani, a native of East Kalimantan. (aan)