Wahid pledges safe haven for Madurese

Borneo's indiginous Dayaks continue to target migrant Madurese

In this story: Facing an uncertain future Wahid under pressure RELATED STORIES, SITES

BANGKALAN, Indonesia -- Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid has told refugees from a bloody ethnic conflict in central Borneo they may return to their homes if calm returns.

Warning against ethnic hatred in the aftermath of the rampage by members of Indonesian Borneo's indigenous Dayak community against migrant Madurese, Wahid pledged to support the Muslim migrants.

"It's not proper if we say that the Dayaks hate the Madurese," Wahid told a gathering of about 800 refugees and government officials in the city of Bangkalan.

Wahid added that the government would do everything possible to relocate those who fled from the violence and did not wish to return to Borneo.

IN-DEPTH Kalimantan's Agony Shadows over Indonesia     MESSAGE BOARD Violence in Indonesia

"For those Madurese who are not willing to go back to Sampit, we will discuss their relocation," he said, referring to the town worst hit by the violence.

Facing an uncertain future

Almost 500 Madurese were killed -- many beheaded -- and at least 50,000 fled in the violence which erupted late last month when Wahid was on an overseas tour.

Most took refuge on Indonesia's main island of Java.

They now face an uncertain future and are demanding government support.

Dozens of supporters greeted Wahid at Madura's ferry terminal at the start of Saturday's tour, with some in the group accusing forces linked to former dictator Suharto of being behind the slaughter.

Wahid promised the refugees about $28 million in aid and educational scholarships.

But his visit to the arid island Saturday is likely to be viewed as too little, too late by his critics, already frustrated by his bumbling 17-month rule.

"Wahid may as well stay at home, the crisis is over," one woman told CNN.

Wahid under pressure

The beleaguered president has lost ground in the popularity stakes since the crisis, when many opponents rallied around his deputy, Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Willing to return to Central Kalimantan, Madurese refugees are disappointed by the government's failure to secure the area.

Wahid is also due to visit the city of Sampang, south east of Bangkalan, before returning to Jakarta.

On Thursday, Wahid visited Central Kalimantan on what was supposed to be a peace mission.

However, more violence erupted minutes after he left. Police opened fire and shot at least four people when Dayak protesters staged a demonstration against plans to bring the Madurese back.

Former dictator Suharto, who was ousted from power in 1988, encouraged tens of thousands of settlers from overpopulated Madura to move to Borneo and establish farms on Dayak tribal land.

As the Madurese thrived, Dayak resentment grew over their presence and culminated in the latest violence.

On Saturday the province was tense but no new violence was reported, witnesses said.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Toll mounts as Kalimantan killing continues
March 9, 2001
Indonesian police fire on Dayak protesters
March 8, 2001
Transmigration: help or hindrance
February 28, 2001
Instability in Indonesia
February 6, 2001

Republic of Indonesia Government
Department of Foreign Affairs
National Commission on Human Rights

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