Rehabilitation funds to be disbursed in Maluku provinces

M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku

The central government has proposed to the House of Representatives (DPR) that Maluku province receive Rp 1 trillion (US$118 million) to rebuild after years of religious violence, a government official said.

Maluku Deputy Governor Memet Latuconsina said the proposal was made to the House's budget committee by Kwik Kian Gie, the state minister for national development planning, in a letter dated Oct. 24.

"In the letter, the minister also proposed to the DPR that it endorse another government proposal to provide Rp 665 billion fund for rebuilding in North Maluku province," Memet said.

The proposals were made in response to requests by the governors of Maluku and North Maluku for Rp 4.4 trillion and Rp 2.2 trillion, respectively, to rebuild their provinces.

However, the proposal by Kwik Kian Gie indicates the two provinces will receive much less than they are requesting.

Memet said the House was discussing the matter with government officials, and a decision was expected soon.

Maluku and North Maluku are in need of rebuilding after years of sectarian violence that left thousands of people dead and forced hundreds of thousands of others to flee the provinces.

Much of the provinces' infrastructure also was damaged in the violence, which began in 1999.

The conflict, which has subsided recently, left many Maluku and North Maluku residents traumatized, while many more were left without jobs.

Memet said money from the central government would be used to finance social and physical rehabilitation projects in the two provinces for the 2004 to 2006 fiscal years.