Kalimantan people called on to accept returning migrants
JAKARTA (JP): People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais appealed on Sunday for a harmonious coexistence between indigenous people and migrants to maintain the nation's unity.
Speaking in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Amien asked the local people of areas torn by ethnic conflict to accept fellow residents who were displaced by the violence.
"I hope that the people and local administrations are willing to accept the return of expelled migrants as our brothers in this nation. They have the right to live anywhere in this country," he told Antara on Sunday.
Amien was in Banjarmasin to install the executives of the South Kalimantan chapter of the National Mandate Party (PAN), which he also chairs.
He was commenting on the locals' rejection of the return of Madurese migrants who had sought refuge following an outbreak of violence between people of Dayak origin and the migrants last March.
Amien called for further talks among the people and reminded them that no one in the nation should reject their brothers from other parts of the country just because they were once in conflict.
"Should the province of Aceh be only open to the Acehnese, Madura to the Madurese and Irian Jaya to the Irianese, then Indonesia would disintegrate and divide into small powerless nations, which could easily become the playthings of bigger countries," he argued.
Madurese migrants returning from their villages in East Java are staying in Banjarmasin, about 30 kilometers from their destination.
Most have been staying at Trisakti seaport since last week, after locals and the administration rejected their entry for security reasons.
In a related development, Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah said on Friday that the people of Central Kalimantan did not object to the return of the Madurese. "But they need more time, pending a letup to the situation."
Bachtiar made the statement following a meeting with the local administrations, prominent figures and leaders held in the Kapuas regency capital of Kuala Kapuas, Central Kalimantan on Friday evening.
He asked Madurese migrants to find the best time to return and to wait for the completion of the bylaw on demography now before the local administration. The bylaw is expected to be able to resolve the refugee problem.
He also expressed Jakarta's hope for a solution to the refugee problem.
Almost 1.3 million Madurese migrants have been displaced in 19 provinces during the last two years, forcing both local and central governments to spend over Rp 800 billion (some US$88 million).
The bylaw is slated to be submitted to the legislative council by the end of September.
Central Kalimantan Governor Asmawi Agani said three areas, including the regencies of Kotawaringin Timur, Kapuas and the city of Palangkaraya, were closed to the possibility of returning Madurese migrants.
However, he said, there was still hope for them as the Central Kalimantan People's Congress suggested the establishment of the bylaw on demography last June. (08/32/bby)