Pusaka| 20 December 2017
Strong protest to the brutality of PT. Bumi Sawit Kencana and security forces shooting the farmers of Tangar Villages, Central Kalimantan
On Monday, December 18, 2017, two farmers from Tangar Village, Kotabesi, East Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan Province, named Agus and Abu Saman, became victims of violence and shootings from local police officers, located in oil palm plantation of PT. Bumi Sawit Kencana (BSK), a subsidiary of Wilmar Group. Both victims are still in medical care at Dr Murjani Hospital, Sampit City.
This is not the first violent incident involving security forces in the PT. BSK oil palm plantation. Previously, on 27 July 2013 residents also clashed with the security company of PT BSK. The villagers were protesting due to the company's activities digging canals on conflicted land. The clash left four people injured. The recurrence of clashes between citizens and PT BSK is a result from agrarian conflicts, land grabs, injustice, violent act, strong security approaches and no conflict resolution.
Over the last four years, there have been four incidents in total of violence and shootings involving state apparatuses against villagers in East Kotawaringin District related to land dispute with the company. There are two victims were shot dead, namely Aja Siswanto from Penyang Village, Telawang District in 2014, and Chandra aka Pingoi from Luwuk Sampun in 2015.
The state failed to be present to protect its citizens and instead let law enforcement becoming corporate shields. The state should be able to act justly, give a sense of security and fulfill people's right to live a prosperous life. Furthermore, the repeated cases of violence occurred at the Wilmar International company site, showed that company is not truly respecting human rights.
We, a coalition of civil society organisations and activists, condemned and strongly protested the actions of the inhumane security forces, we urge and demand:
1. Chief of Police to immediately examine and sanction the state apparatus and PT. BSK involved in the violence. We also ask the Chief of Police to withdraw special police force Brimob and stop strong security approach in handling villagers’ complaints.
2. Ministry of Agriculture and Spatial Planning, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Environment and Forestry, to conduct an evaluation of the licenses and activities of the company, to give strong sanctions or revoke the licenses of troubled companies.
3. RSPO to conduct real assessment and give strict sanctions to its members Wilmar International and its subsidiaries, for performing contradictory, disobedient and contrary to principles, criteria and indicators, as required by RSPO.
Jakarta, 20 December 2017
We the undersigned,
1. Dimas Hartono, Walhi Kalteng, Palangkaraya
2. Franky Samperante, Yayasan PUSAKA, Jakarta
3. Eva Bande, Serikat Petani Pejuang Tanah Air, Banggai, Sulawesi Tengah
4. Agus Sutomo, LinkAr Borneo, Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat
5. Gemma Ade Abimanyu, Yayasan Betang Borneo, Palangkaray, Kalimantan Tengah
6. Ismet Soelaiman, Walhi Maluku Utara
7. P. Paul Rahmat, Vivat International, Jakarta
8. Halik Sandera, Walhi Yogyakarta
9. Theo Runtuwene, Walhi Sulawesi Utara
10. Fanny Tri Jambre, Walhi Jawa Timur
11. Fandy, Aktivis, Palangkaraya, Kalteng
12. Ratno Budi, Walhi Kepulauan Bangka Belitung
13. Timboel Siregar, BPJS Watch
14. Nur Hidayati, Eksekutif Nasional Walhi, Jakarta
15. Bama Adiyanto, JPIS Kalimantan
16. Uslaini, Eksekutif Daerah Walhi Sumatera Barat
17. Abdul Haris, Walhi Sulawesi Tengah
18. Syahrul Fitra, AURIGA, Jakarta
19. Henri Subagiyo, ICEL, Jakarta
20. Suriadi Darmoko, ED Walhi Bali
21. Wirya Supriyadi, SOS untuk Tanah Papua, Jayapura
22. Dana Prima Tarigan, Walhi Sumatera Utara
23. Paulus Alfons YD, Akademisi, Kalimantan Tengah
24. Asmar Exwar, Walhi Sulawesi Selatan
25. Rudiansyah, Walhi Jambi
26. Riko Kurniawan, Walhi Riau
27. Mulfisar, LBH Papua, Jayapura
28. Ronald Manufandu, JERAT Papua, Jayapura
29. Yosua Krakuko, UKM Demokrasi, HAM dan Lingkungan, Univ. Cenderawasih, Papua
30. Juniaty Aritonang, Bakumsu, Sumatera Utara
31. Manambus Pasaribu, Bakumsu, Sumatera Utara
32. Murdani, Walhi Nusa Tenggara Barat
33. Kurniawan Sabar, INDIES, Jakarta
34. Bernard Koten, Papuan Voices, Jayapura
35. Elisabeth, West Papua Update, Jayapura
36. Yulius Lalaar, LBH Cenderawasih, Jayapura, Papua
37. Paskalis Boma, Front Persatuan Rakyat, Jayapura, Papua
38. Novia Adventy, GMKI Cabang Palangkaraya, Kalimantan Tengah
39. Pdt. Dora Balubun, KPKC Sinode di Tanah Papua, Jayapura
40. Merilyn, BPD PERUATI, Kalteng.
41. Evi Nurleni, BPD PERUATI, Kalteng
42. Gunawan Inggeruhi, Suku Yerisiam, Nabire, Papua
43. Ismail Keikyera, Dewan Adat Momuna, Yahukimo, Papua
44. Roni Nakiaya, MAI, Timika, Papua
45. Killion Wenda, Gerakan Muda Baptis, Papua
46. Ndoringga Yarinap, Forum Independen Mahasiswa, Papua
47. Yasin Ngelia, GEMPAR, Papua
48. Paresh Wenda, Baptist Voice, Papua
49. Rudi HB Darman, Gabungan Serikat Buruh Indonesia, Jakarta
50. Rahmat, Aliansi Gerakan Reforma Agraria, Jakarta
51. Helda Khasny, SERUNI
52. Symphati Dimas, Front Mahasiswa Nasional
53. Raden Deden Fajarullah, Liga Mahasiswa Nasional untuk Demokrasi (LMND)
54. Catur Widi Asmoro, Pemuda Baru (Pembaru) Indonesia
55. Harry Sandy Ame, International Youth for Food Sovereignty (YSF)
56. Lahmuddin Yoto, Yayasan Tanah Merdeka, Palu, Sulawesi Tengah
57. Puspa Dewi, Solidaritas Perempuan, Jakarta
58. Kartini Samon, GRAIN, Jakarta
Contact Person:
Dimas Hartono : +62 813 5270 4704
April Perlindungan : +62 812 7463 0560
Strong protest to the brutality of PT. Bumi Sawit Kencana and security forces shooting the farmers of Tangar Villages, Central Kalimantan
This is not the first violent incident involving security forces in the PT. BSK oil palm plantation. Previously, on 27 July 2013 residents also clashed with the security company of PT BSK. The villagers were protesting due to the company's activities digging canals on conflicted land. The clash left four people injured. The recurrence of clashes between citizens and PT BSK is a result from agrarian conflicts, land grabs, injustice, violent act, strong security approaches and no conflict resolution.
Over the last four years, there have been four incidents in total of violence and shootings involving state apparatuses against villagers in East Kotawaringin District related to land dispute with the company. There are two victims were shot dead, namely Aja Siswanto from Penyang Village, Telawang District in 2014, and Chandra aka Pingoi from Luwuk Sampun in 2015.
The state failed to be present to protect its citizens and instead let law enforcement becoming corporate shields. The state should be able to act justly, give a sense of security and fulfill people's right to live a prosperous life. Furthermore, the repeated cases of violence occurred at the Wilmar International company site, showed that company is not truly respecting human rights.
We, a coalition of civil society organisations and activists, condemned and strongly protested the actions of the inhumane security forces, we urge and demand:
1. Chief of Police to immediately examine and sanction the state apparatus and PT. BSK involved in the violence. We also ask the Chief of Police to withdraw special police force Brimob and stop strong security approach in handling villagers’ complaints.
2. Ministry of Agriculture and Spatial Planning, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Environment and Forestry, to conduct an evaluation of the licenses and activities of the company, to give strong sanctions or revoke the licenses of troubled companies.
3. RSPO to conduct real assessment and give strict sanctions to its members Wilmar International and its subsidiaries, for performing contradictory, disobedient and contrary to principles, criteria and indicators, as required by RSPO.
Jakarta, 20 December 2017
We the undersigned,
1. Dimas Hartono, Walhi Kalteng, Palangkaraya
2. Franky Samperante, Yayasan PUSAKA, Jakarta
3. Eva Bande, Serikat Petani Pejuang Tanah Air, Banggai, Sulawesi Tengah
4. Agus Sutomo, LinkAr Borneo, Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat
5. Gemma Ade Abimanyu, Yayasan Betang Borneo, Palangkaray, Kalimantan Tengah
6. Ismet Soelaiman, Walhi Maluku Utara
7. P. Paul Rahmat, Vivat International, Jakarta
8. Halik Sandera, Walhi Yogyakarta
9. Theo Runtuwene, Walhi Sulawesi Utara
10. Fanny Tri Jambre, Walhi Jawa Timur
11. Fandy, Aktivis, Palangkaraya, Kalteng
12. Ratno Budi, Walhi Kepulauan Bangka Belitung
13. Timboel Siregar, BPJS Watch
14. Nur Hidayati, Eksekutif Nasional Walhi, Jakarta
15. Bama Adiyanto, JPIS Kalimantan
16. Uslaini, Eksekutif Daerah Walhi Sumatera Barat
17. Abdul Haris, Walhi Sulawesi Tengah
18. Syahrul Fitra, AURIGA, Jakarta
19. Henri Subagiyo, ICEL, Jakarta
20. Suriadi Darmoko, ED Walhi Bali
21. Wirya Supriyadi, SOS untuk Tanah Papua, Jayapura
22. Dana Prima Tarigan, Walhi Sumatera Utara
23. Paulus Alfons YD, Akademisi, Kalimantan Tengah
24. Asmar Exwar, Walhi Sulawesi Selatan
25. Rudiansyah, Walhi Jambi
26. Riko Kurniawan, Walhi Riau
27. Mulfisar, LBH Papua, Jayapura
28. Ronald Manufandu, JERAT Papua, Jayapura
29. Yosua Krakuko, UKM Demokrasi, HAM dan Lingkungan, Univ. Cenderawasih, Papua
30. Juniaty Aritonang, Bakumsu, Sumatera Utara
31. Manambus Pasaribu, Bakumsu, Sumatera Utara
32. Murdani, Walhi Nusa Tenggara Barat
33. Kurniawan Sabar, INDIES, Jakarta
34. Bernard Koten, Papuan Voices, Jayapura
35. Elisabeth, West Papua Update, Jayapura
36. Yulius Lalaar, LBH Cenderawasih, Jayapura, Papua
37. Paskalis Boma, Front Persatuan Rakyat, Jayapura, Papua
38. Novia Adventy, GMKI Cabang Palangkaraya, Kalimantan Tengah
39. Pdt. Dora Balubun, KPKC Sinode di Tanah Papua, Jayapura
40. Merilyn, BPD PERUATI, Kalteng.
41. Evi Nurleni, BPD PERUATI, Kalteng
42. Gunawan Inggeruhi, Suku Yerisiam, Nabire, Papua
43. Ismail Keikyera, Dewan Adat Momuna, Yahukimo, Papua
44. Roni Nakiaya, MAI, Timika, Papua
45. Killion Wenda, Gerakan Muda Baptis, Papua
46. Ndoringga Yarinap, Forum Independen Mahasiswa, Papua
47. Yasin Ngelia, GEMPAR, Papua
48. Paresh Wenda, Baptist Voice, Papua
49. Rudi HB Darman, Gabungan Serikat Buruh Indonesia, Jakarta
50. Rahmat, Aliansi Gerakan Reforma Agraria, Jakarta
51. Helda Khasny, SERUNI
52. Symphati Dimas, Front Mahasiswa Nasional
53. Raden Deden Fajarullah, Liga Mahasiswa Nasional untuk Demokrasi (LMND)
54. Catur Widi Asmoro, Pemuda Baru (Pembaru) Indonesia
55. Harry Sandy Ame, International Youth for Food Sovereignty (YSF)
56. Lahmuddin Yoto, Yayasan Tanah Merdeka, Palu, Sulawesi Tengah
57. Puspa Dewi, Solidaritas Perempuan, Jakarta
58. Kartini Samon, GRAIN, Jakarta
Contact Person:
Dimas Hartono : +62 813 5270 4704
April Perlindungan : +62 812 7463 0560
