Chaidir Anwar Tanjung/Fitri & GB, Pekanbaru – Tens of families from Betung village, Pangkalankuras subdistrict, Belelawan regency, Riau province, have fled to the shelter of a neighbouring village following an attack by 700 'employees' of PT Arara Abadi – a subsidiary of PT Kiat Pulp and Paper – on Saturday afternoon.
The attack on the villagers was revealed by prominent Riau leader Tabrani Rab to Detik during a telephone interview Monday. Tabrani said that up to 20 trucks loaded with 'employees' of PT AA arrived at the village brandishing wooden batons.
Several villagers were injured in the attack. They have been identified as Sulin (42), Muchtar (21), Rasyid (30) and Jasa (43). Unfortunately, no information is available at present about if and where they received medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations officer of PT AA, Budi, said he could not yet comment on the incident although he confirmed it did take place. "We will provide a press release later. We don't have complete data now," said Budi.
The relationship between the villagers and the company has been deteriorating for sometime. The villagers, mostly indigenous Sakai tribes people, have been disappointed in PT AA because the company has robbed and ransacked their traditional land.
As a sign of their disappointment and frustration, villagers blocked the road leading to the forest concession area of PT AA. Their action angered the company and resulted in the attack on Saturday.
Tabrani said the attack was not only carried out by employees of the company but received the backing of the local Mobile Brigade- the elite police unit. He condemned the attack and lamented that the Riau police had become partisan in the conflict.
Tabrani, also a prominent figure of the Sakai tribe, questioned why the Riau provincial government had turned a blind eye to the conflict and Saturday's incident. "I most dislike the Riau Governor who doesn't care about the people. I think Saleh Djasit should resign as Governor," said Tabrani.
The outspoken Tabrani rose to national prominence as a leader of Riau's independence movement. He currently serves as Head of the Riau