Residents refuse to leave 'tiger area'

Source: The Jakarta Post - September 1, 2008
By Oyos Saroso H.N.,

Bandarlampung

A month after the release of two Sumatran tigers (Tigris panthera sumatrae) from Aceh into the wild at Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Lampung, the indigenous Belimbing clan have protested a plan to relocate them.

Belimbing traditional leader A. Zulqornain Syarif Gelar Sutan Panji Negara said the move was tantamount to wiping his clan off the map, and that they would not back down until the customary issue was completely resolved.

"Should they relocate us, where would we go? The planned site is Sumber Rejo village, an illegal logging area that is not authorized by the state.

"Our only problem concerns the rights of the indigenous people. Under the State Constitution, traditional communities are clearly protected. We certainly refuse to lose our identity," said Zulqornain, who is also a civil servant at West Lampung regency administration.

Belimbing customary figures had already discussed a plan to vacate Pangekahan to make way for a wildlife conservation area for five tigers from Aceh, Zulqornain said.

The meeting decided on three conditions; the Belimbing clan would retain rights to traditional land encompassing Pangekahan, Wayharu and Bandardalam hamlets; this land and its contents must be returned to the Belimbing clan in the event authorities relocate residents from Pangekahan (native or newcomers); land which has been sold must be returned to the Belimbing clan's customary caretaker.

"As customary land owners, we refuse to be relocated whether or not compensation is offered," Zulqornain said.

Pangekahan hamlet chief Khusairi Raja Muda said neither West Lampung regency administration nor the company managing the tiger conservation area, PT Adhiniaga Kreasindo (owned by businessman Tommy Winata), had ever met to discuss the proposal with the clan thus far. Instead, he said, the clan had received a letter from Regent Mukhlis Basri ordering them to vacate the village so as to accommodate five Sumatran tigers from Aceh.

Khusairi vowed to defend the area even if force was used, adding that 50 percent of the 164 families, or around 500 people, were members of the Belimbing clan while the rest were of Javanese, Bugis, Sundanese, Balinese and Batak ethnic origins.

"We strongly uphold our traditions. We won't leave Pangekahan, and refuse to accept the offer of 1.5 hectares of farmland and Rp 7.5 million (approximately US$833.00) in cash per family," he said. Since the planned release of the five tigers (with two released thus far), Khusairi said Bengkunat Belimbing district chief M. Nizom had pushed Pangekahan villagers to move promptly.

Equipped with a letter from the West Lampung regent, Nizom told villagers each family would be compensated with, among other things, 1.5 hectares of farmland, Rp 5 million in cash, a four-by-six metre house and living expenses for six months.

"Many villagers agreed to move. But more recently the regency administration changed the offer to only the 1.5 ha plot and Rp 7 million per family," Khusairi said. Nizom intimidated villagers into signing statements saying they agreed to move, he added.

"The district chief said villagers would regret it if they didn't move. They finally gave in. But the problem remains that they don't know where to go."

Pangekahan villager Hidayaturahman said residents were constantly worried for their safety since the two tigers were released in the area.

"The tigers are more tame than other tigers in this area. They often venture into the village and sleep in front of the school. So far they have devoured 12 goats and 10 chickens," he said.

Two of the five tigers caught in Aceh were released June 22 at Tambling Conservation area in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. At that time, Tommy had assured the villagers that the tigers would not prey on them, saying there was adequate food in surrounding forests.

West Lampung Regent Mukhlis Basri said he was still waiting for a decision from the Forestry Ministry on a relocation site for the 164 families in Pangekahan.

"We are also waiting for funds from the third party to relocate the villagers," Mukhlis said.