Officials struggle to reach voters

NAMLEA, Maluku: Officials in charge of registering voters prior to the 1997 election have had a hard time reaching tribal people in the isolated areas of Buru Island.

One of the officials, Djafar Wael, said yesterday his team has failed to reach three tribal communities, Wanapnafen, Waetemun Butet and Waetemun Waernangan, which live in the jungle.

Wael, a known community leader, said the three tribal groups consist of an estimated 1,000 people living scattered throughout the jungle.

He said he spent three days walking in the forests and sleeping in makeshift huts in an unsuccessful effort to reach the nomadic tribespeople.

"We have registered 341 voters from different tribal groups, but the election is a sensitive issue and we have to do the registration carefully," he was quoted by Antara as saying. (pan)