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)