Sorong regent faces Rp 225 billion lawsuit

Sorong regent faces Rp 225 billion lawsuit

JAKARTA (JP): Tribal people in Inanwatan and Aitinyo
subdistricts, Irian Jaya, have sought compensation of Rp 225
billion (US95 million) from Sorong regent Jhon Piet Wanane
following the destruction of three million sago trees.

In a report addressed to the minister of home affairs in
Jakarta, the Irian natives said the tree felling was particularly
regrettable as sago was their staple food.

Antara did not say when the natives would file their lawsuit.

Robuan Zainuddin, the ministry's director for public
administration, has ordered the regent to settle the dispute
amicably.

Spokesman for the Inanwatan and Aitinyo communities J.E. Amase
Kambu told the ministry the tree cutting was done by officials
from the state-run oil company, Pertamina, while doing a survey.

According to Kambu, the government offered no compensation for
the sago trees grown on communal land.

Irian Jaya deputy governor Herman Monim said reports about the
destruction of the sago trees surprised him. He described it as
an "irresponsible act", Antara reported.

He said the Sorong government should have safeguarded the sago
trees instead of destroying the source of locals' staple food.

Antara reported that Manokwari-based PT Sagindo Sari Lestari,
a company with a concession to exploit sago in Sorong, also cuts
sago trees indiscriminately. (pan)