Kalimantan community demands fair treatment
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)