Tribal war halted by delivery of trucks for road construction

PUNCAK JAYA, Irian Jaya (JP): Residents of an isolated district here on Friday halted all activities, including an ongoing tribal war, to marvel at motorcycles, trucks and heavy equipment being transported by helicopters to their area.

The equipment was being delivered from Wamena for the construction of a 15.4 kilometer road that would end their isolation and connect Ilu district with Mulia, the capital of Puncak Jaya regency, which is located in the dense forests of the Irian Jaya hinterland.

"This is the first time for these people to see motorcycles and the other vehicles," according to a local official.

The battle between members of different tribes inhabiting Tinggi Nambut village in Ilu was temporarily stopped because the tribal warriors wanted to see the heavy equipment dangling from helicopters, it was reported.

Some people walked for four days from the middle of the forests to the landing site to witness the proceedings. Ilu is sandwiched between the regencies of Puncak Jaya and Jayawijaya in Indonesia's easternmost province.

The road is being constructed at a cost of Rp 18.4 billion. Contrary to the usual practice of building roads -- namely from the most developed to the least developed areas -- this road will start at the most isolated spot.

"If roads continue to be built in the usual way, when are people from the hinterland going to be able to see cars?" said Wirda Fakaubun of developer PT Modern Widya Technical.

"This is why we are starting from the most isolated place," he said.

The regency is so remote and difficult to reach that only aircraft belonging to the Mission Aviation Fellowship were able to reach it, and then only in good weather.

The situation leads to high prices of goods. Last year a sack of cement cost Rp 500,000 (US$62 by current rate) compared to Rp 18,000 in Jakarta.

"The residents are geographically and culturally isolated. They are backward in terms of transportation and information," said Henoch Ibo at the Puncak Jaya administration. "These people do not know what cars or ships look like."

Puncak Jaya was among regencies affected by the El Nino- induced drought of 1996 and 1997. Hundreds of people died of hunger and drought-related diseases during that period of time, and news about the disaster was often delayed. In addition, relief often arrived too late because of difficulties in transportation. (34/swe)