Lampung governor urged to resolve land dispute

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.