Sutiyoso promises shelter, jobs for integrationists
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso vowed on Wednesday to provide temporary shelter and employment for some 40 East Timorese integrationists who have been taking refuge at the House of Representatives compound since last month.
Sutiyoso was responding to the refugees' plea to the governor to help them earn a decent living and assist their struggle for the return of East Timor to Indonesia.
"If you stay in such poor conditions, it will only tarnish your image. I hope you will trust me and let me find you a temporary shelter," he told the refugees while visiting the House compound.
The visit made at the invitation of the House Secretariat, which was seeking help in dealing with the refugees.
Sutiyoso said he would contact his friends about providing jobs for the refugees. "You must work to support yourselves here. Only then will you be able to fight for your aspirations.
"But you must promise that you will work hard at any position given to you," he said.
The governor said he had a special relationship with East Timor because he served there as a captain in the Army's Special Force (Kopassus). "I fought hand in hand with prointegration fighters. I explored all the regions of East Timor during my service there," he told the refugees.
"I even put Dilliyanti, derived from East Timor's capital Dili, in my eldest daughter's name. She was born when I was still serving there," he said.
The leader of the refugees, Alex Hafoni, told Sutiyoso there were 40 East Timorese taking refuge in the House compound. "We are looking for support from the legislators here because we still regard ourselves as Indonesians. We have been here for about one month," Alex, who came from Dili, said.
He said they represented about 150,000 East Timorese refugees in East Nusa Tenggara who wanted to return to East Timor and live on their own land.
"We need houses and land to cultivate. We don't have enough food for all of us here and rely on donations. Sometimes we eat once a day.
"Such hardship, however, won't cause us to retract our allegiance to the republic," he said.
Another refugee, Edgar van Erickson from Los Palos, aired his hope that East Timor would return to Indonesia. "I've been told my grandfather, a former regent of Los Palos, fought side by side with Komandan Gubernur (Sutiyoso) in the early days of the integration," he told the governor.
"Yes, I remember fighting side by side with your grandfather. You must be brave and don't let him down," Sutiyoso responded.
East Timor integrated with Indonesia in December 1975. However, the majority of East Timorese voted in a UN-sponsored ballot on Aug. 30, 1999, to separate from Indonesia and establish an independent country.
Sutiyoso then told Edgar he could become a television star. "I think Edgar is fit to be an actor in a sinetron (television drama). I'm sure you can beat out Pedro Carrascalao."
Pedro is the son of former East Timor governor Mario Viegas Carrascalao, who fled to Portugal ahead of the 1999 ballot while still a member of Indonesia's Supreme Advisory Council.
Two other refugees, Marjon Leirima of Liquica and Sipri Babu of Los Palos, told journalists they would accept any jobs given them by Sutiyoso.
"Without a school diploma, I don't think I can get a good job. At least I will be able to support myself," said Marjon.
"I won't choose the type of work. It will be just fine if I can be a security guard or a factory worker," added Sipri.
Before departing, Sutiyoso learned the refugees were having rice and green beans for lunch. The governor gave Alex Rp 500,000 (US$53), saying, "Here, buy some decent lunch for your men."
The governor then returned to City Hall with Alex, Edgar and another refugee, Lorenzo Elio, in his car, leaving his aide, Teguh, to return in another vehicle. (nvn)