Since the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) was officially inaugurated dozens of companies have applied for plantation permits, and proceeded to try and get control over the Malind People’s ancestral lands – awasmifee.potager.org
Merauke, Jubi – Some officials from Merauke Regional Government participated in the meeting with the Indonesian Human Rights Commission held in the local parliament office’s chief Kanizia Mekiuw.
The meeting, which lasted about one and a half hour, discussed an investment program under the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate.
The officials who attended in the meeting on Monday (14/3/2016) included the Head of Merauke Agriculture and Horticulture Office Bambang Dwiatmoko, the Head of Merauke Regional Development and Planning Body Daswil and the Head of Merauke Forestry and Plantation Efendi Kanan.
On te occasion, the Coordinator of Monitoring and Research Sub-commission of the Indonesian Human Rights Commission, Siane Indriani said based on information and complains about investment activity in Merauke Regency, the community-owned land to be cleared and the lack of empowerment towards the indigenous Papuans.
“I want to have some description and explanation from the relevant offices related to the mentioned problems, as well as to be confirmed to the National Human Rights Commission,” she said.
In response, the Head of Merauke Forestry and Plantation Office Efendi Kanan explained some investment activities are running, and the indigenous landowners are empowered and received compensation from the company.
People took a huge benefit, for instance, when their land used by the company, the landowners obtained compensation in cash. It’s similar with the clear of forest, they got reimbursement from the company. And other things are the compensation in education and health services as well as the community economic empowerment. The land owned by customary people, according to Kanan, was not purchased but rented for 25-30 years. After the termination of contract, they can take it back. That’s the rule and it was also socialized to everyone including the indigenous Papuans. (Frans L Kobun/rom)
