Legislator says ending enmity key to peace

JAKARTA (JP): Observers are continuing to offer insights and solutions to the unrest in West Kalimantan, with one legislator predicting that tension will persist as long as ethnic enmity remains.

Taheri Noor, a member of the House of Representatives from West Kalimantan, expressed doubt that any traditional settlement, such as the peace pact reached and violated recently, would last long.

"The unrest was caused by a chronic conflict dating back decades. Another clash will erupt sometime in the future if we fail to find the root of the problem," Taheri of the Armed Forces faction said.

Riots and clashes between Dayak natives and Madurese migrants swept the province following a personal dispute over a woman in late December. Security authorities claim to have restored order and with the lifting of curfew yesterday the situation has reportedly returned to normal.

Taheri said the tension stemmed from the abuse of the socioeconomic rights of the natives, who are in the minority, by the migrants. He said similar abuse had sparked riots in Irian Jaya and East Timor.

"While indigenous people utilize natural resources only moderately, migrants exploit them for the maximum benefit, but at the expense of the natives," said Taheri, a native of Pontianak.

To make matters worse, Dayak natives are kept out of the local administration, according to him. "Although many natives have enjoyed higher education, none of them hold key administrative posts."

The province witnessed an economic growth rate of 10.9 percent last year, far better than the national figure of 7.2. However, its income per capita is 22nd out of the 27 provinces.

"The figures show an obvious social disparity, with native people placed at the bottom. The natives have been neglected in development programs," Taheri said.

Sociologist Arief Budiman observed the failure of development programs to empower poor people as one of the causes of the riots that rocked the country recently.

"The poor, who have long been suffering from oppression, find riots the only outlet for their anger," Arief said yesterday.

"Development has progressed without their participation, while at the same time the government fails to give them legal protection.

Arief suggested the government scrap economic policies which benefit major businesspeople and turn to an economic system that protects small entrepreneurs.

A member of National Commission on Human Rights, Muladi, said the ethnic and sectarian riots marked a revival of primordialism which places subnational loyalty higher than national allegiance.

Syarif Ibrahim Alqadrie, a sociology professor at the Pontianak-based Tanjungpura University, said yesterday local ethnic leaders and officials would draw up a reconciliation proposal.

It will include both an in-depth analysis of what caused the ethnic tension and recommendations for a permanent settlement. Syarif said that this team would publish the proposal in early March and submit it to West Kalimantan Governor Aswin Aspar.

Syarif, also chairman of the non-governmental organization Sanggar Ilmiah, said the proposal would call on the ethnic groups to ignore provocation, prevent the spread of enmity, increase solidarity and support the government's cultural, economic and social programs.

The recommendations for peace would be drafted by various ethnic groups.

A ceremony to mark the reconciliation between the two conflicting groups is to take place today and will be attended by the governor.

Aspar said a traditional ritual will be conducted by two community leaders representing the Dayaks and the Madurese. Kapuas Hulu regent Yacobus Layang will represent the Dayaks while the Madurese representative has yet to be announced.

National Commission on Human Rights members have been invited to witness the ceremony. (01/amd/har)