Madurese 'can return' to Kalimantan
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid assured Madurese on Saturday who had fled riot-torn Sampit of a safe return to the Central Kalimantan regency.
Speaking in a dialog with the refugees on their home soil of Bangkalan in the East Java island of Madura, the President dismissed reports that Dayak natives bear resentment against the migrants and could no longer live in harmony with them, Antara reported.
"It's not true if Dayaks are said to hate the Madurese people, because I have discussed this (with the Dayak people) in Sampit. They even called Madurese migrants the promoters of development out there; that's why the Central Kalimantan governor told the refugees to return to Sampit and pledged to restore public facilities within a year," Abdurrahman said in the dialog moderated by East Java governor Imam Utomo at the Bangkalan administration office hall.
Among the President's entourage were first lady Sinta Nuriyah, Defense Minister Mahfud MD, who is Madurese, Junior Minister of Forestry Nur Mahmudi Ismail, Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Surjadi Soedirdja, Madurese community leader and House of Representatives legislator Fuad Amin Imron and East Java chairman of National Awakening Party Choirul Anam.
The President made a one-day visit to Sampit and the Central Kalimantan capital of Palangkaraya on Thursday, hours after his arrival from a two-week overseas trip.
Hundreds of people, mostly Madurese settlers, have been killed since the ethnic riot in Sampit erupted on Feb. 18. Over 50,000 migrants fled, with hundreds more following suit, mostly to East Java.
Abdurrahman said that only some Dayak natives were causing strife, but left the matter to security authorities.
"There will be a sacred area in Central Kalimantan in the form of forests to be managed by Dayaks. But it can't be said that Madurese people control the forests, because in fact forest concession holders mostly come from Jakarta, although there are some Madurese," the President said.
A refugee named Faisal told the President he left all his belongings he earned after 28 years in Sampit behind for the sake of his "dignity".
"Once there were demands for natives to hold gubernatorial or mayoral posts, but how come things got worse after the demands materialized. I'm offended to be called Madurese cattle," Faisal complained.
But Abdurrahman consoled him.
"You have proven your success, although they (Dayaks) do not recognize it. Your luxury house and car are proof of how resilient the Madurese are. Never listen to their verbal attacks, because you do business with God," said the President.
Abdurrahman handed over Rp 100 million (US$10,100) in humanitarian assistance to the refugees, while Mahfud and Mahmudi donated Rp 100 million and Rp 40 million respectively. Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin was not present, but sent Rp 2.8 billion in scholarships for students who were forced to join the exodus from Sampit.
Peace forum
In Palangkaraya, Governor Asmawi Agani suggested that the government-brokered peace forum scheduled to be held between March 15 and March 17 be moved to Jakarta from Banjarmasin, the capital of South Kalimantan.
Asmawi said he proposed the removal following refusal from Dayak tribal leaders to visit Banjarmasin.
Jakarta is considered a neutral place, according to Asmawi.
"I suggest that the forum be held in Jakarta, because I feel sorry for the South Kalimantan administration who is buckling under pressure and criticism for initiating the peace talks," Asmawi said.
The talks invites all governors in Kalimantan, their East Java counterparts and Dayak tribe leaders, who will discuss how to establish peace after a series of ethnic clashes in Kalimantan, which have killed approximately 1,000 over the past four years.
Asmawi also dismissed a claim by National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi that a night curfew had been imposed on Palangkaraya following clashes between security troops and locals on Thursday and Friday.
"The situation in Palangkaraya is heated, but the time has not come for a night curfew," the governor said.
Asmawi also threw his weight behind people's demand for the withdrawal of the Jakarta Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob), for the sake of their own safety.
The clashes broke out after police opened fire to quell a demonstration during Abdurrahman's visit.
Provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Pranoto defended on Saturday the police shooting of the protesters, which left five people killed, including a police officer, and 11 others injured.
"I'm the one who will be held responsible for the shooting. It was conducted in line with authorized procedures," Bambang told a media conference.
At least 16 people have been arrested following the two-day unrest.
The Brimob force commander Sr. Comr. Yusuf Muharam, who was also present in the conference, said the incident was sparked by a group of three people who forced their way forward to approach the President at the end of his visit. When this failed, the people agitated the crowd, according to Yusuf.
The mob ran amok and snatched an SS1 rifle with 29 bullets from the police, Yusuf said.
"They even tried to grab my pistol," Yusuf recollected. (amd)