Local tribes ask Freeport to stop pouring aid
Thursday, October 12 2006 - 02:08 AM WIB
They said on Wednesday the program had failed to improve the people?s welfare and sparked conflict and other social problems instead.
Head of Amungme and Kamoro Community Development and Consultative Body (LPMAK) Andreas Anggaibak said the decision was agreed upon during a meeting between leaders of the two tribes on Tuesday, Kompas reported Thursday.
?Since we received the fund we have been intimidated and felt insecure. Tribal wars have erupted seven times since then,? Anggaibak said.
He asked Freeport to stop channeling the community development fund until a new agreement between LPMAK with government and PT Freeport is reached.
Freeport has allocated 1 percent of its gross profit for community development fund since 1996. Last year, PT Freeport allocated around Rp 393 billion for community development programs.(*)