Pontianak returns to normal

Pontianak returns to normal

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan (JP): A meeting between authorities
and local ethnic figures managed to reduce tension in the West
Kalimantan capital of Pontianak, which has been rocked by ethnic
clashes for the past two weeks.

Held at the National Human Rights Office in Pontianak, the
meeting was attended by administration officials, military and
police chiefs and senior figures of the Dayak, Malay and Madurese
communities.

"All ethnic representatives agreed to help the police and
military restore the situation and work hand in hand to end any
kind of violence," a participant, who requested anonymity,
revealed.

The recent escalation of tension in Pontianak was triggered by
an ultimatum issued by locals, demanding that all Madurese
refugees, who have been in the town for more than two years, be
relocated by July 1.

The Madurese perceived the ultimatum as a premeditated plot to
attack them.

However, Traditional Council of Dayaks chairman Syaikun Riyadi
MM and Communication Forum of Malay Youths in West Kalimantan
chairman Syamsul Rizal clarified that the ultimatum had been
directed at the local administration.

"The ultimatum is not meant to be a war cry against the
Madurese migrants. It's just to pressure the administration,
which has been too slow dealing with the problems caused by the
refugees for almost three years," Syaikun said.

More than 100,000 Madurese migrants fled from the deadly clash
with locals in Sambas, West Kalimantan, between January and April
1999. They were resettled in neighboring towns, including
Pontianak. (46/sur)