Ilustration – Jubi
Sorong, Jubi – Gue clan and Iwaro Customary People who live in Puragi Village, Metemani Sub-district, Sorong Selatan Regency returned compensation money of 21.950 million to palm oil plantation company PT. Pratama Putra Mandiri (PPM) in Sorong Selatan.
The Secretary of Iwaro Tribe Customary Council Stevanus Koridama said the clan family decided to return the money because the company did not involve relevant parties such as the local police, regional government and customary people in paying the compensation.
“We have reported to the police. We enclosed the money with the letter of rejection mentioned that the payment should be witnessed by all parties,” he said.
Meanwhile Gue Tribe Chief as tenure landowner, Epson Gue, said this refund was made because the company paid to his family without his acknowledgement.
“This refund is aimed to avoid conflict among families. Actually it’s referred to the agreement decided in the customary law forum that all parties should be noticed, so the company don’t just take the action by chance,” he said.
Meanwhile the Iwaro Student Association Coordinator Simon Soren questioned about the amount of money to compensate more than 300 hectares of land. “The refund is to acknowledge that the compensation is not suitable with the agreement in the Customary Law Forum and it’s the expression of disappointment. We ask the police to respond it immediately to solve this case,” he said.
This case had also reported to Sorong Selatan Police, West Papua People’s Assembly and Imeko Tribe Customary Council in Manokwari. (Niko MB/rom)
