Sibi tribe members block wharf owned by PT Pelindo
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Some 100 members of the Sibi tribe blocked the Jayapura wharf belonging to state-owned PT Pelindo on Thursday, demanding Rp 7.5 billion in compensation for the land which they claim belongs to them.
On Wednesday around 100 members of the Yableh and Yahim tribes blocked the Sentani Airport, forcing the airport authority to halt flights to and from the airport.
Claiming to be the ancestral heirs of the 1,800,000 square meters of land on which the airport is located, the people demanded Rp 70 billion in compensation for the land the government has been utilizing for the airport.
They pledged to return within the next 15 days should their demand not be met.
Thursday's protest by members of the Sibi tribe was highlighted by the performance of traditional dances, stalling airport activities for more than three hours.
Gaspar Sibi, the leader of the Sibi tribe, told The Jakarta Post during the protest that the tribe possessed a total of 4.7 hectares of land in the area, where the port and the office of PT Pelindo are located.
"We have asked for compensation from PT Pelindo for our land that it has been using for years, but the company has not responded to our demand. PT Pelindo management has refused to meet us," Gaspar said.
"The money will go to the Sibi people, who have been living in suffering for decades," Gaspar said.
The head of PT Pelindo's local office, W.O. Mantiri said he could fully understand the people's protest. "But I am unable to do anything. It is head office of PT Pelindo in Jakarta that has the authority to provide compensation for such demands. I have reported the people's protest to Jakarta."
He confirmed that last year a group of Sibi tribe members had officially demanded compensation for the land. "There has been no response to the people's request."
The protest almost turned violent when policemen tried to disperse the protesters, who finally left the area.
"Blocking the main gate of the office is against the law," deputy chief of Jayapura Police Precinct Comr. Antonius Diance said, explaining the actions of his men to force the protesters to disperse. (35/sur)