Statue to commemorate ethnic riots

SAMPIT, Central Kalimantan: In commemoration of the human tragedies of the February 2001 ethnic conflicts that swept through the town of Sampit and other areas in Central Kalimantan, the local administration will erect a pantar statue in East Kota Waringin regency.

Fedlik Asser, one of the initiators of the project, said on Saturday the planned statue would be erected by the local administration and the Dayak Society Association.

The monument will be erected along the Sampit-Pangkalan Bun highway on July 17. It will be constructed of hardwood locally known as ulin, and will measure 60 centimeters in diameter and 23 meters in height, Asser said.

He said the statue would symbolize the struggles of the Dayak people and serve to remind them to live peacefully and harmoniously with others.

Ethnic clashes between Dayaks and Madurese migrants from Java broke out last year, claiming hundreds of lives and forcing thousands of Madurese to flee the province. --Antara