NTT Cooperatives Head Assures Waiburak Clash Not Related to KDMP

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) Provincial Government states that the clash between residents of Waiburak Village and Narasaosina Village in East Flores Regency, which occurred due to claims over customary land rights, is not related to the development of the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP).

Head of the NTT Cooperatives and SMEs Office, Linus Lusi, affirmed that the clash between residents of the two villages has been ongoing for a long time and is not connected to the construction of the Red and White Village Cooperative, which is one of the flagship programmes launched by President Prabowo Subianto to strengthen village economies.

“This is a conflict between residents that has been going on for a very long time and has been passed down through generations, which remains unresolved to this day. Each side claims the land as their own,” said Linus in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Previously, news circulated of a clash resulting in casualties involving residents of Waiburak Village and Narasaosina Village in East Flores Regency, allegedly triggered by plans to utilise the land for the construction of the Red and White Village Cooperative.

Linus emphasised that there has been no construction of the Red and White Village Cooperative in that village. He assured that for the construction of the Red and White Village Cooperative, land with clean and clear status must be used, and there must be no disputes.

“We will not seek disputed land for the construction of the Red and White Village Cooperative,” he said.

Furthermore, Linus stated that following the clash between the two villages, his office received a task from NTT Governor Melki Lalaleka and Deputy Governor Johanis Asadoma to visit the location together with Forkompimda, the DPRD Chairman, the Police Chief, a representative from the Chief Prosecutor’s Office, the Acting Head of the Regional Police Bureau, the Secretary of the Regional House, a representative from the Military District Command, and the Head of East Adonara Sub-district.

“Now, efforts are being made to achieve a peaceful resolution from the conflicting parties through mediation involving figures from both villages,” said Linus.