TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Delegation of the Custom Board and several local figures of the Dayak Wehea tribe of East Borneo have come to meet state institution to explain about several issues that are occurring on their turf. From January 27 to February 4, 2015, Dayak Wehea people paid a visit to the National Commission for Human Rights, Ombudsman, and Environmental and Forestry Ministry.
The tribe's delegations made several demands to the government, including the acknowledgment of their people and indigenous rights. They also demand the government to stop the issuance of new permits that can endanger the tribe's indigenous forest, culture, and environment. "At this moment, we have a lot of palm oil plantations and mines in our region," Tleang Lung, one of the delegation told Tempo.
Moreover, Tleang Lung also complained that the Dayak Wehea tribe has no claim as a part of Indonesian tribes. "Our ancestors have lived in Kalimantan for thousands of years before Indonesia even existed," said Tleang.
In response to the demand, Nur Khoirun from the National Commision for Human Rights explained that the people of Dayak Wehea have continuously ratted out the companies that damage their environment. Furthermore, he said that the delegation also complained about the wave of newcomers that often caused problems, along with the presence of an apparent social and economic gap.
MARIA RITA
