Lampung settlers resettled

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Hundreds, possibly thousands, of families which have been given plots for housing and farming in various transmigration camps in the province have abandoned the facilities and resettled in West Kalimantan and Irian Jaya.

Commission I of the Lampung Legislative Assembly said many of the facilities provided at the transmigration camps have been left neglected or sold to third parties.

Head of Lampung Transmigration Office Saefuddin Hasan expressed surprise at the suggestion, which was made during a meeting with members of the commission. Saefuddin said there could be one or two cases but doubted whether the number would reach hundreds.

The commission members said they made their statement after meeting with village heads in Blambangan Umpu district in North Lampung regency.

Bahruddin Matondang, a commission member, said he feared that there could be a syndicate organizing the moves, buying up the neglected land at bargain prices and then reselling it for a hefty profit. (emb)