District head accused of protecting illegal miners

A village head in Central Kalimantan reported his superior to the Kotim regent and the provincial governor for supporting illegal mining activities in the area, Kapos reported.

Ilie Laba, head of Petak Bahandang village, said in the letters to the regent and the governor dated on Feb. 17, that head of Tasik Payawan district Walter H Penyang together with the local police and military chiefs had served as the protectors of the illegal gold miners in his village.

"Together with the district police and military chief, the district head has been active as the protector (of the illegal mining activities). There is a strong suspicion that the three parties had received monthly commissions from the illegal miners whose activities have been disturbing the local people," Ilie said in the letter, whose copy was sent to the paper.

Ilie also sent copies of the letters to the Ministry of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Minister of Environment Sonny Keraf.

Ilie said the illegal miners could no longer be categorized as traditional miners since they have been using modern equipment in their activities.

The local people were worried that the illegal gold mining operation would cause pollution in the village and put the fish-farming activities of the local people in danger.

Third assistant of Kotim regency's secretary Taufik Mukri said the regency would send a letter to the district head, warning him to stop backing the illegal activities.

"We shall take tough measures if he makes no response," Taufik told the paper on Wednesday. (*)