Category: syndication

Joy and disappointment after MSG’s West Papua decision

From our partners at Pacific Scoop

Report – By Daniel Drageset

June 27, 2013

Whereas some parties are pleased that the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) drew up a roadmap for membership of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL), others are disappointed that the MSG did not go all the way and give full membership to the WPNCL.

West Papua independence
Prior to last week’s MSG meeting many West Papuans were hoping for full membership. Image: West Papua Media Alerts

The WPNCL, which attended the 19th MSG Leaders’ Summit with a five-person delegation, expressed happiness over the outcome.

A ni-Vanuatu MP, however, has said that a roadmap is simply not good enough and that Vanuatu as a strong supporter of West Papua therefore should withdraw from the MSG.

WPNCL, however, seems more than content, even though full membership is yet to be achieved. In a statement issued earlier this week it stated that after many years of lobbying it has now “entered a new chapter in its international efforts.”

Before last week’s MSG meeting in the New Caledonian capital Nouméa, some had expressed hopes that the WPNCL would attain full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, just like the Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS), which is the coalition of parties calling for independence in New Caledonia.

Although this is yet to happen, the MSG stated that it “fully supports the inalienable rights of the people of West Papua towards self-determination.”

Human rights
Furthermore, MSG expressed concern for human rights violations in West Papua, and therefore decided to send a delegation to Indonesia later this year to discuss West Papua.

In an interview with Radio New Zealand International, Andy Ayamiseba of WPNCL said that this “is a clear indication that the case of West Papua is out of Indonesia’s hands.

“It is no longer a domestic issue or internal matter but it’s not a regional issue, an international issue.”

The Australian West Papua Association (AWPA) said that it is disappointing that the issue of membership was deferred, but it welcomed a number of the other decisions.

“[T]he fact that the issue of the right to self-determination for the people of West Papua was recognised by the representative regional body of the Melanesian Peoples is very significant as is the fact that the MSG leaders acknowledged that there are ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua,” Joe Collins of AWPA said in a statement.

He described it as “encouraging” that MSG goes on a “fact-finding mission” to Indonesia, but warned that such missions may be “controlled or manipulated as to where, when and whom they are permitted to see by the authorities.”

Disappointed ni-Vanuatu MP
In an article in the Vanuatu Daily this week entitled Shameful day for Vanuatu, an anonymous ni-Vanuatu MP said it was a “sad day for Vanuatu when news was made public […] that the issue of West Papua had to wait for another six months.”

The MP alleged that Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands held secret meetings between them on the issue of West Papua and called it “very disrespectful.”

“I call on Vanuatu leaders not to join the other MSG leaders to either Jakarta or West Papua [for a fact-finding mission] but for Vanuatu to protest to the other MSG countries to pull out from the MSG because the vision by Vanuatu’s first prime minister has been defeated,” the MP stated.

Moreover, the MP said that if ni-Vanuatu authorities do go to Indonesia they “will have to consider carrying in their hands messages of condolences to pass on to the families of so many hundreds and hundreds of our Melanesian brothers and sisters who were raped, jailed, tortured and shot in jails, and slaughtered like animals over the past many years by the Indonesian military.”

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Marind Intellectuals Oppose Corporation’s Development on their land

from our friends at AWASMifee

June 24, 2013

Over the last few months, a series of meetings have taken place in villages around Merauke to discuss development plans, within the framework of local adat, or customary law. In each one, a resolution has been made, a clear rejection of all investment. The document below, from a new grouping of Marind intellectuals called FORMASI SSUMAWOMA, is an open letter to the Merauke Regency government and other decision-making bodies, which describes these meetings and the reasons for their opposition.

It is an important document because much of the recent news we have received from Merauke has focussed on local people’s struggles for companies to meet their practical and necessary demands after companies have already forced their way in, such as a reasonable level of compensation when their land and trees are taken from them, or that the company keep their promises to employ local people. However this letter reaffirms that there is still a significant part of the community which opposes all the current development plans. The main reason is quite clear: that the forest not only is the source of people’s livelihood, but also their culture and their identity. When the forest is gone, how can the Malind Amin continue to exist?

The authors also make clear that their opposition is not an absolute rejection of all possible forms of development, but a recognition that, socially marginalised and with limited education, the Marind Anim are a long way from being in a position to determine the way outside investors could play a role in their development, in a way that will benefit them rather than destroy them.

“The Malind Anim people are also normal people who want to feel the touch of development, and an increase in security in many aspects of our lives, but also we don’t want to be marginalised by the wave of modernisation and globalisation which continues to sweep in with all its sophistications. In the same way, we also don’t want to lose our identity as the AMIN-HA, a true people whose culture remains strong, as the basic rights we have held through many generations are forcibly snatched away from us by companies, holding permits issued by the
governments which have made themselves managers of our customary lands.”
———————————————————————

Full Letter from Marind Adat leaders:
FORUM OF PEOPLE AND INTELLECTUALS OF THE MARIND WOYU MAKLEW ANIM SUB-ETHNIC GROUP ( FORMASI SSUMAWOMA )

TUBANG AND ILWAYAB DISTRICTS, MERAUKE REGENCY, PAPUA

Address of Secretariat : Jln Pemuda Kelapa lima Merauke

Document Number : 001/FORMASI-SSUMAWOMA/V/2013

Concerning : Statement rejecting corporate investment.

To:

Bupati, Merauke Regency

Respectfully,

We wish to present the findings of our studies, which have taking into account many aspects of the Marind Anim indigenous people’s lives and how they interconnect, alongside suggestions, advice and decisions which have come out of several adat (customary law) meetings.

One of these adat meetings took place on 19th May 2012 in Makaling village. Adat chiefs and indigenous people were present from four districts (Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti). The adat meeting reached the following conclusion: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE REFUSE TO GIVE UP THEIR CUSTOMARY LAND TO CORPORATIONS.  This act of resistance was accompanied by a ritual to enact the adat decision. Adat leaders from each village held a ‘pole of agreement’ which had been tied with young coconut leaves and planted in the ground. These poles are known as SAL or SASIH MARKERS, and signify that activities on the land are prohibited.

The decision of another adat meeting on 8th May 2013 in Kampung Woboyu,
Tubang District (which was sponsored by the Mayora Group) was as follows
“WE, THE MARIND WOYU MAKALEW INDIGENOUS PEOPLE REJECT ALL INVESTMENT ACTIVITY ON OUR TERRITORY”.  Meanwhile a meeting between Marind indigenous intellectuals and companies, sponsored by the Merauke Regency Adat People’s Organisation (Lembaga Masyarakat Adat) on 21st May 2013 in the Swiss Bel Hotel in Merauke, stated in their decision that they would
“EMPHATICALLY REJECT COMPANIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY PURSUING INVESTMENTS, OR WANT TO INVEST, ON MARIND ANIM ANCESTRAL LAND”.

To speak of the Marind culture means to speak about the way hundreds of  indigenous communities think, feel and act about their relationship to nature, and to the Creator.

Through these ways of thinking, feeling and acting, indigenous people are coming to realise that a great threat is beginning to endanger their very existence. An example are the sasih markers, a sign to forbid the passage of all people, whether they are part of this culture or not (ie. settlers). These markers are intended to block off access for a long time to protect the natural flora and fauna of the Marind Anim. AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND INTELLECTUALS WE CALL ON THE GOVERNMENT, COMPANIES AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO SHOW THE HIGHEST RESPECT FOR THE MARIND ANIM INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR ADAT LAW (LOCAL WISDOM). RESPECT AND OBEY THE SASIH MARKERS AS A SIGN OF PROHIBITION UNDER ADAT LAW.

Based on the decisions of the adat meetings described above, we as intellectuals of the Marind Woyu Maklew sub-ethnic group in Tubang and Ilwayab districts have been given a full mandate to report the decisions made at those adat meetings to the government, companies and all stakeholders in the Merauke Regency and Papua Province. Those decisions reflect views from the following villages: Ilwayab and Bibiken in Ilwayab District, Wamal, Dokib, Yowied, Dodalim, Woboyu and Welbuti in Tubang district. Taking into account the statements reported above, the
Forum of Intellectuals of the Marind Woyu Maklew Sub-Ethnic Group of Ilwayab and Tubang districts, also hereby present the opinion of indigenous people in Okaba and Ngguti districts, as decided in the Adat meeting which took place on 19th May 2012 in Kampung Makaling, Okaba District.

“WE, AS INTELLECTUALS OF THE MARIND WOYU MAKLEW SUB-ETHNIC
GROUP HAVE DECIDED TODAY, 25TH MAY 2013: WE REJECT THE COMPANIES WHOSE NAMES ARE RECORDED HERE, INCLUDING:

  • PT. RANDU KUNING UTAMA
  • PT. SWARNA HIJAU INDAH
  • PT. WAHANA SAMUDERA
  • PT. KURNIA ALAM NUSANTARA
  • PT. DHARMA AGRO LESTARI

WHAT THE MARIND WOYU MAKLEW ANIM INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE LAND WHICH BRINGS THEM LIFE (THEIR MOTHER)
The Forest is not only the source of the Malind Anim people’s livelihood, it is also the source of Papuan people’s innermost sense of being, especially the Marind. If the forest is lost then all elements of their culture are lost, and the people will even lose their very identity as Marind Anim Ha. Even despite this, we do not want to reject all forms of progress out of hand.  However we are very concerned about several companies which are already operating in other areas of Merauke regency,
as we have outlined above.

The Malind Anim people are also normal people who want to feel the touch of development, and an increase in security in many aspects of our lives, but also we don’t want to be marginalised by the wave of modernisation and globalisation which continues to sweep in with all its sophistications. In the same way, we also don’t want to lose our identity as the AMIN-HA, a true people whose culture remains strong, as the basic rights we have held through many generations are  forcibly snatched away from us by companies, holding permits issued by the
governments which have made themselves managers of our customary lands.

Although we totally understand the reasons for the policy of encouraging corporate investors, the fact is that none of these investors support the indigenous people or people who live in isolated villages far from the recency capital. Maybe if there were 100 people in each village who had received a university-level education, then we might be able to stand up for ourselves, but the truth is that currently we are not
sufficiently consolidated in that way to be able to accept corporate investment on our territory.

Here are some points of forest wisdom, based on the unity of people and land within the soul of Papuan nature.

  • To speak of Papuan culture, at least for the Malind Anim, means speaking about the ways that hundreds of indigenous communities think, feel and act, and their relationship with nature and the creator.
  • The relationship with nature (forest, land, animals and water) is like the connection between a child and their mother.
  • Papuans’ relationships with each other are based on cultural values of solidarity and mutual aid, justice and peace.
  • The Malind Anim are a religious people, close to their creator. They knew about God long before missionaries came to bring God into
    their culture.
  • Merauke/Malind Anim is rich in diversity, whether cultural or flora and fauna.
  • The Malind Anim culture represents the sense of identity of the community that follows it, and that is why it must be protected and nurtured along with the diverse flora and fauna that also inhabit Malind Anim lands.
  • The Malind Anim culture is not just a dance, a ritual or a carving. It is not a mere representation of a culture, decorated in mud, leaves and vines or other forest  fibres.
  • If the Malind Anim culture is not protected and nurtured it will disappear, and with it the Malind Amin people’s sense of self.
  • The Malind Anim culture is indistinguishable from the ways of thinking, feeling and acting that encompass the Malind People’s existence as a whole.
  • Nature is not only the focus of people’s livelihood, but also the centre of the Malind Anim culture, which to an outsider would seem to be a treasure which you could never put a price on.
  • The values of the ancestors are alive within the culture, but are constantly being shaken by individualist, hedonist or consumerist values, or by those who deceitfully steal the forest.

REASON FOR OPPOSITION: “LAND IS AN INVESTMENT FOR ETERNITY, UNCEASING, FOR ALL TIME”

These are the reasons why we reject investors in our villages in Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti districts:

  1. There is actually not so much Indigenous people’s land in Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti districts, and the numbers of inhabitants are variable. Therefore we do not intend to give our customary land to any company, because in future generations, we hope that the Malind Woyu Maklew sub-ethnic group will continue to grow in numbers and develop.
  2. The indigenous peoples of Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti districts are not ready to accept any company with sophisticated technology, Corporate Social Responsibility programs and corporate management. If we villagers are regarded as human resources, we are of little value in the company’s office-based approach to work. As we are aware of this, we know we couldn’t compete with labour brought in from outside Merauke, from Java or even outside Indonesia, because we have
    only received education up to high school level.
  3. We will ensure that indigenous land in Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba, Ngguti and nearby areas is protected for local people to uphold our destiny to continue our everyday livelihoods.
  4. Forest is the primary source of livelihood for Papuan Indigenous people in general and especially in Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti districts.  From the time of our ancestors we have used it for our everyday necessities, and if it is lost then we have also not only lost the source of our livelihood in terms of physical necessities, but also our cultural livelihood. For Papuans and especially for us in the Malind
    land, this cultural life is firmly connected to our identity, like a mother and a father, and always connected with the universe.
  5. Our culture will be lost if all the forest is lost, or if companies invest in our  customary forest / our lifeblood. That is why we made the agreements in the meetings in the four districts. We will face great difficulties if the forest is gone.
  6. The land and forest make up the for the people of Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti‘s cultural identity, and the forest is our mother, and the people will not sell their own mother. As an example, the wood to make kandala or tifa drums is taken from the forest, and the bark of the cajuput tree is used for the roofs of our houses, which means that the forest is very important not only for our cultural life but also to build our houses. As well as house-building materials, earth for decorating or painting our faces (tanah poo) also comes from the forest, and there are other important cultural rituals which are closely linked to Malind Anim people‘s lives. There are many sacred sites around our land which must not be disturbed, and these are only a few of the forest’s functions for us as indigenous people.
  7. We have also learnt from the companies which have already started operations such as PT Central Cipta Murdaya, PT Bio Inti Agrindo, PT Agriprima Cipta Persada, PT Wahana Mulia Sukses Sejati, PT Medco Papua, PT Rajawali Group and PT Dongin Prabhawa, which have already plundered the people’s forest until there is none left, with the excuse that later Corporate Social Responsibility programs would bring prosperity to the people, but there have proved to be nothing more than lies which were never realised. It is exceptionally rare that Papuans or Malind Anim people or youth are employed by these companies as directors, supervisors or office staff.  In the few cases where Papuans are employed, they are not local villagers who hold customary rights over the land. On the contrary, when PT Medco started its operations, the people were tricked and then abandoned. The companies have violated the people’s rights in many ways, and this has caused great hardship.
  8. Forest clearance on such a large scale will also have a negative impact on the global climate. Preventing global warming is another reason why we we mean to preserve the customary forest in Ilwayab, Tubang, Okaba and Ngguti districts, as well as to safeguard the forest for future generations, so that it can also be a source of livelihood for our grandchildren.

This statement of opposition has been written absolutely without any form of duress from anyone.  This letter is the official voice of the indigenous people and clans which own the customary rights over land in Ilwayab and Tubang districts, alongside indigenous people from Okaba and Ngguti districts. The Intellectual Forum wishes to convey this voice to the government and companies. We hope that God and the Marind Anim ancestors remain by our side and bless us all, now and forever Amen.

written in Merauke, 25 May 2013

Respectfully,

MANAGEMENT BOARD

FORMASI- SSUMAWOMA

S. KOEL SAMKAKAI, S.Sos

Vice Chair I

M. ONG’OWIE MAHUZE, S.Pd

General Secretary

COPIED TO :

  • Papuan Provincial Government in Jayapura
  • Chair of Papua Provincial Legislative Assembly in Jayapura
  • Chair ofPapua Consultative Assembly (MRP) Jayapura
  • Chair of the Papuan Provincial Development Planning Board in Jayapura.
  • Chair of the Papuan Provincial National Land Agency in Jayapura
  • Chair of the Papua Province Forestry Service in Jayapura
  • Chair of the Papuan branch of the National Human Rights Commission
    in Jayapura
  • Archbishop of Merauke
  • Chair of the Merauke District Legislative Assembly
  • Chair of the Merauke Regency Development Planning Board
  • Chair of the Merauke Regency branch of the National Land Agency
  • Chair of the Merauke Regency Forestry and Plantation Service
  • Chair of the Merauke Regency Investment and Promotion Board
  • Chair of the Merauke Regency Lembaga Masyarakat Adat
  • Head of Tubang District
  • Head of Ilwayab District
  • Head of Ngguti District
  • Head of Okaba District
  • Pastor of Okaba parish
  • Leaders of PT. Randu Kuning Utama in Merauke
  • Leaders of PT. Swarna Hijau Indah in Merauke
  • Leaders of PT. Wahana Samudera in Merauke
  • Leaders of PT. Kurnia Alam Nusantara in Merauke
  • Leaders of PT. Dharma Agro Lestari in Merauke
  • Archive
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Pacific Scoop: Sir Michael Somare calls on MSG to be ‘inventive’ over West Papuan future

Pacific.scoop.co.nz  – republished with permission

June 21, 2013

Melanesian Spearhead Group

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By PACNEWS editor Makereta Komai in Noumea

One of the founding fathers of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, says granting West Papuan membership of the sub-regional bloc must be done on the basis that it is a Melanesian community and not because it is a sovereign independent state.

“A not too dissimilar arrangement can be found in the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) where Taiwan and Hong Kong, regarded by many as part of China, participate in development with independent sovereign states.

“The point here is that MSG has to be inventive,” said Sir Michael.

If, West Papua eventually becomes a “member” of the MSG, it will serve as the venue for both Indonesia and West Papua to dialogue and regularly brief MSG countries on developments in West Papua, said the longest serving Papua New Guinea Prime Minister.

Speaking at the MSG Silver Jubilee celebration in Noumea yesterday, Sir Michael had a few words of advice for West Papuan pro-independence activists.

“You need to learn to sit down and talk about your issues with Indonesia. Your leaders, chiefs and activists must discuss ways to find solutions to your problem. Your problem is an internal one and our countries have no right to interfere into sovereign issues of Indonesia.

“You should not bring your problem from your side to us because, like PNG, we have diplomatic relations with Indonesia and we share a common border, said the Grand Chief.

‘Willing to understand’
Sir Michael said during his days in government, Indonesia indicated that it was willing to understand and solve the problems in West Papua.

“Indonesia has appointed West Papuans as administrators and other leadership positions as it tries to explore ways to assimilate West Papuans into their society.

The head of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation, Dr Otto Ondawame responded, saying every attempt had been to hold dialogue with the Indonesians.

“We already tried in 2011 to talk with Indonesia, we wrote letters to start a peaceful dialogue but still nothing. The problem is not on our side but with the Indonesian government and its military,” said Dr Ondawame.

Dr Ondawame said any peaceful dialogue with Indonesia must be made with a third party.

On what the MSG should do, even before it admits West Papua as a member, Sir Michael said MSG should invite West Papua to cultural events, sporting activities and technical skills exchange.

“West Papua after all has a significant Melanesian community,” said Sir Michael.

MSG Leaders will consider the application for West Papua membership today.

Source: PACNEWS [2]

Article printed from Pacific.scoop.co.nz: http://pacific.scoop.co.nz

URL to article: http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2013/06/sir-michael-somare-calls-on-msg-to-be-inventive-over-west-papuan-future/

URLs in this post:

[1] Image: http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/newcal-praises-msg_425wide.jpg

[2] PACNEWS: http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=152284964551c28ff06cc8cc9a0e7b

Copyright © 2009 pacific. All rights reserved.

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Deforestation of the Nabire Region continues from HPH to the oil palm plantation (Part 1)

by Sin Nombre (Mongabay-Indonesia),  

May 29, 2013

https://i0.wp.com/www.mongabay.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Hutan-hutan-keramat-Nabire-yang-dibongkar.jpg
Nabire sacred forests are dismantled (photo: Mongabay Indonesia)

Approximately 55 kilometres on the West of Nabire region of Papua Province unfolds a large amount of forest that is owned by a large tribe called the Yerisiam. This tribe has 4 (four) sub tribes namely Wauha, Akaba, Karoba and Sarakwari. The area with tens of thousands hectares is situated at the shoreline of Cenderawasih Bay.

Apart from the sea, the forest has been the source of life for these four tribes from which they obtain sago, traditional medicine and it’s their hunting ground. There is also a sacred place believe to be the resting place of the spirits of their forefathers.

The situation changed since 1990-1991 when HPH (Forest Concession) Company, PT Sesco entered Wanggar and Yaro districts and took bars of Merbau wood. The chairperson of the Cooperative Society, Yunus Kegou, said that the company ended its operation in 2000 and left many broken promises.

“At that time, the company hadn’t paid Rp.40 million which is approximately A$3900 with the count of Rp.1000 per cubic meter with is equivalent to A$0.95. The request from the local which are 4 motors, 4 chainsaws and 1 vehicle for the locals to use hasn’t been paid till present,” said Kegou.

In 2003, three companies entered and established in this area, namely PT. Pakartioga, PT. Junindo and PT. Kalimanis (PT Jati Dharma Indah).  Allegedly, these companies changed their names from PT. Sesco to PT. Pakartioga, and the HPH (forest concession holder) to the name PT. Junindo, and PT Jati Dharma Indah (JDI) to the the name PT. Kalimanis.  In the HPH permit, the operating period of JDI ends on 2017, with the permit of operation on the West and East of the Nabire Region  – a huge part of Cenderawasih Bay.

The presence of all these companies left many opaque stories. Their social responsibilities are negative, labourers were imported, and the experiences with transmigrant and the outsiders created conflicts not only with in the civilians but with the companies as well.

Erens Rumbobiar, the Chief of Makimi village situated on the eastern side of Nabire town, said that the conflicts with the locals occurred several times, and were the logging companies fault at that time.  One of the cases that stimulated conflict was when Jordan and Paulus Ha’o permitted logging company PT. Barito to chop down the trees and turn them into logs, not knowing that the area is a customary land of Sefnat Monei.  The conflict almost ended up in physical attacks (according to Customary Law) so the matter was taken to Didimus Warai’s residence,  who as the Chief of Wate’s tribe, solved it. People that were present at that time represented their clan which were Utrech Inggeruhi, Simon Hanebora as a witness for Sefnat Monei, Nikanor Monei and Jordan Ha’o.

In 2007, JDI that had been permitted to operate till 2017 invited PT Harvest Raya Company from Korea to start the oil palm plantation in the region. The locals refused PT Harvest Raya because it is thought to be threatening their future and future of their generations. However, this refusal produced polemic within the Monei clan whereby Sefnat Monei as the owner of the customary land refused, but his children allowed the exploitation of the land to be carried out.

This time, PT. Nabire Baru (NB), another oil palm company entered and settled in two of the villages in Yaur District of Nabire Region namely Sima and Wami village. This concession is located with the Northern side bordered by the ocean of Cenderawasih Bay, and the Southern side bordered by the JDI production forest and Wami village.  The western side borders the road connecting Nabire – Wasior and also PT. Sariwarna Adiperkasa HPH, and the Eastern side of the area borders the production forest, Jaya Mukti village, and Wanggar River.

The company is said by local villagers to be building communication with the local people in the area which led up to a thanksgiving at the early 2010. Traditional prayer was carried out as a start of the business and the compensation of the land was agreed as Rp.6, 000,000,000 which is equivalent to A$600,000. This agreement is said to be completed without the involvement of JDI.

Afterwards, several individuals persuaded Nabire Regional Government to issue new permits.  After the thanksgiving, the people demanded the government solve the HPH land issue so it doesn’t interfere with the oil palm plantation. Eventually local people were driven by few individuals sign a petition on a piece of white cloth, and took it to the Parliament office in Nabire with the hopes that the issue of the location is solved.

The reason was that JDI has long left the area and there was no communication with the indigenous people even though the permit HPH is still valid.  At that time, Benyamin Karet the Setda (Regional Secretariat) for Nabire Region, said that the status of the area of 17,000 hectares was problematic because it’s still owned by PHP JDI.  That area itself had not been plotted for oil palm plantation, but driven by the persuasion of the indigenous people, Nabire Regional Government issued a permit in the form of the Regent’s decision.  The principle of the cultivation permit is that the funding is issued by an Investor’s Agency on 21 of September 2010.

Nabire Regent Isaias Douw, said the indigenous people admitted that the location is safe and can be used NB.  “There had been a conversation between the company and the indigenous people and had been an agreement with the locals. Therefore, we issued a permit to the investor because the locals demanded,” he said.

However, the Regional Government knew there would be a problem with JDI, they therefore asked the locals and NB to solve the problematic location with the companies PHP. At that time, the activists blamed NB and JDI as if they deliberately stirred up the conflict in deceiving the locals of taking merbau wood from their area.

NB Consultant, PT Widya Cipta Buana, led by Iwan Setyawan, at the public consultation analysis in regards to the environmental impact (AMDAL) in early May 2013, explained in Sima Village that the company “is based on the Environmental Act, Government’s rules and policies, and even the rules and policies of the Minister of Environment Number 16 and 17 of 2012 concerning the Guidelines for community involvement in the EIA (Environment Impact Assessment), and an environment permit process. “From the legal perspective, the company has feasibility to carry out the activities”.

NB started the business in 2011 and recruited more than 1250 labours. In 2012, the company applied for the extension of the permit (which was granted via the) Regent’s decree number 71 2012 dated 24th of July 2012 about extending the location permit. The trees were then chopped down and turn into logs, and were taken out of Nabire, when the owner of the land protested.

The data collected by Mongabay, shows from the permit of 17,000 hectares, the area that was cultivated were 12.438,77 hectares including the conduit and the path in the garden and the cultivated area of 10.758.00 hectares. The rest include 1.851.88 hectares of the beach, 1.957.38 hectares of the river, 688,32 hectares of hills and the sacred places, 63,69 hectares of sago plantation and the nursery of 224,82 hectares. In 2013, the plan to cultivate is approximately 2.500 hectares, 4.500 hectares will be in 2014 and around 3.428 hectares will be in 2015. The factory will be built around 2015 with the processing capacity of 90 tonnes an hour.

Mr Kim, the owner of the company, claimed that he has been given the permit for 200,000 hectares of land and 20 other companies in Nabire Region and the surroundings, including several gold companies in Topo and Batu Bara area at the Eastern part of Nabire. Kim didn’t mention the details of all the companies that he owns.

To Be Continued…

 Translated by West Papua Media

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MIFEE: Customary Landowners Block Access to PT Rajawali’s Land

[also: Meeting with Company, Local Communities Received Compensation of IDR 1 Billion – see below]

Source: Tabloid Jubi

English Translation by AwasMIFEE

Customary Landowners Block Access to PT Rajawali’s Land

The issue of PT Rajawali’s compensation to villagers in Kampung Domande, Merauke, has still not been resolved. The villagers, who are the customary landowners, have blocked access to around 10,000 hectares of the land which the company wants to use to plant sugar cane.

When Tabloid Jubi met Efendi Kanan, the head of the forestry and plantation department of Merauke Regency, in his office on Thursday (30/5), he confirmed the blockade was taking place. “There is a blockade, and an accompanying letter has been sent to the Regency Leader, Romanus Mbaraka. I’ve just received a copy of the letter and now I’ve called the company to request further discussions. However, so far only company staff have responded. We were hoping the executives would come”, he said.

If company leaders would join the process, Efendi continued, there could be further discussion about how to approach a solution. “I also have to communicate directly with my superiors. But I hope that in the next couple of days we can arrange a meeting and then go to the village to discuss with the people”.

If representatives from the regency government and the company went to Kampung Domande, Efendi explained, they would bring a final decision. “I don’t know what sort of compensation has been given, but maybe it relates to the company’s recent logging activities. I doubt it has to do with the land issue itself. Because that issue has definitely been discussed between the company and the local people”, he said.

According to Gubernatorial regulations, Efendi explained, the amount of the people’s timber that the company has logged must be counted up and paid for by the company. The problem now is whether that has happened or not. “As far as I know, the company is currently logging the trees on the land. But it is still not clear and certain whether the trees felled have been counted and paid for”.

Meanwhile, when tabloidjubi.com met Merauke District Legislative Council member Hengky Ndiken on Friday (30/5), he said that he had urged the company clearing the villagers land to make the local people’s security their first priority, as those people hold the customary land rights “I feel that since the company has already taken over the people’s land, it is their clear duty and responsibility to think about how to attend to their needs”, he said.

Aside from this, Ndiken continued, the people as customary landowners have to be directly involved, both in the office and in the field. They can’t just make all sorts of enticing promises, but then ignore the people once the operations start. “Despite all the local people’s limitations and lack of skills, the company must provide training and other activities,” Hengky said.

Furthermore, Ndiken states, if they were given opportunities and space to become involved, it is sure that the people would not get carried away with too many protest actions. In that way the investment could continue without encountering obstacles. “I am optimistic that if they are involved, the enterprise should proceed well,” he said.

He also hopes that attention is paid to village development. Of course when a company arrives and presents its plans to the people, they always also present a work program to ensure the people’s security. But this program must be actually put in  place once the company starts work in the field.

Ndiken also requests the Merauke Regency Government to remain vigilant towards company operations, including regarding the people’s rights. “As a representative of the people, I will be involved in monitoring the situation regarding people’s rights. They are the owners of this country, and we need to pay attention to them”, he requested.

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Meeting with Company, Local Communities Received Compensation of IDR 1 Billion

In the beginning of April 2013, in the Company’s Training Centre of Bio Inti Agrindo (BIA), another meeting was held again with the local Customary Councils of Mbian and Mandobo tribes. The Head of Ulilin District attended the meeting as well as local Police Chief of Ulilin and Muting Districts, Commander of local military station in Asiki, and representatives of Marind Mbian Customary Agency.

The agenda was to discuss a claim of Mandobo people to BIA to pay a penalty of IDR 70 billion (USD 7.7 millions) for appropriation of their traditional forests and land by the company.  The negotiation was hardly moved, spent time of almost twelve hours overnight, from 18:00 afternoon until 05:00 early morning.  Finally, an agreement took place that company will pay of in advance of IDR 1 billions (USD 111,111) for three clans: IDR 100 millions (USD 11,111) for Basik-basik clan; a similar amount for Mahuze clan; and IDR 300 millions (USD 33,333( for Mandobo clans.

The rest will be paid later as a compensation for all of trees in the forests cut down by the company.

from Silvester Y. Ndiken, Villager of Muting, District of Muting, Merauke

Source: Sorak http://blog.insist.or.id/sorak/en/archives/2551

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