Military predicts land conflicts

SEMARANG, Central Java: Diponegoro Military Command Maj. Gen. Soeyono said the Central Java province is still prone to many potentially explosive land conflicts.

Soeyono said various government projects required the clearing of lands which mean acquiring land from land owners. These projects include the bonded zone and container terminal in Semarang, the construction of a steam power plant in Jepara and the nuclear power plant, also in Jepara.

The construction of new toll roads could also be politicized by people, he said giving his end of the year assessment of the security situation in the province.

Other potential security threats include a communist underground movement trying to make a comeback and other extremist groups trying to establish themselves, he added.

Soeyono said that overall, the security situation in Central Java and Yogyakarta was quite firm in 1994. He added that he did not expect any major change in 1995. (har/emb)