Kalimantan people called on to accept returning migrants

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)