Lampung governor urged to resolve land dispute

Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung

The Lampung chapter of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) has urged Governor Oemarsono to step in and resolve a land dispute between thousands of villagers in the regency of Tulangbawang and sugar firm PT Indo Lampung Perkasa (ILP).

Clashes and violence have been on the rise in connection with the conflict after the firm formed a civilian security force (Pamswakarsa) last year, an activist said.

"Many residents have protested the establishment of the force because they have become the target of repressive measures taken by these hired vigilantes. The governor must dissolve the security force, otherwise there will be more violence," LBH director Edwin Hanibal on Tuesday.

Edwin revealed that the treatment of local residents by the security forces was appalling. The security forces tortured two villagers, Sainan, 20, and Herdiyanto, 18, on Sept.7.

Community leader Abu Bakar of Bakung Udik village added that the members of the Pamswakarsa had tortured a local resident, Rusdianto, for unclear reasons. The incident had been reported to the Tulangbawang Police, but there had been no response.

"In principle, the governor must dissolve the Pamswakarsa and resolve the land conflict. If there is no action, villagers in Bakung Ilir and Bakung Udik will be ready for a war," he added.

Similar demands have been voiced out by an association of Lampung people and the Union of People who Care for Tulangbawang organization.

The Tulangbawang regency administration on Aug. 6, 2002, issued an instruction ordering PT ILP to stop logging and undertaking other activities in the disputed area.

It also ordered the company to dissolve the civilian security force and take responsibility for the violence against local people.

Amid mounting calls for the dissolution of the Pamswakarsa, Riyadi, the chairman of the All-Indonesia Workers' Union (SPSI) in PT Sweet Indo Lampung (SIL), denied the reports of torture.

However, he admitted stern measures had been taken against local people who committed robberies.

"The Pamswakarsa would never torture residents. We are guarding PT SIL because we regard this as our home, somewhere that needs protection," he added.

PT SIL and PT ILP are grouped in the Sugar Group Companies, a consortium owned by business tycoon Sudono Salim. The group has since been taken over by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency. Other sugar companies owned by Salim include PT Gula Putih Mataram and PT Gunung Madu Plantations.

Responding to the conflict, Lampung administration secretary Herwan Achmad said that provincial officials would immediately visit the area to try to resolve the conflict.

Bakung Udik village head Tantowi, meanwhile, disclosed that PT ILP had occupied some 7,000 hectares of land belonging to local people since 1994 without compensation.

At a meeting on Sept. 16, 2000, attended by legislators, the regent of Tulangbawang, PT SIL representatives and provincial land affairs officials, PT SIL vowed to pay Rp 3 billion in compensation for the land that had been acquired. But to date, the promise has not been kept.