Thousands of Indonesians demand settlement of land dispute

Thousands of Indonesians demand settlement of land dispute

2011-05-12 08:15:32 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands of people on Wednesday rallied outside Indonesia's House of Representatives in Jakarta to demand the government hand back land they claim is rightfully theirs, the Jakarta Globe reported.

According to protesters from Sukamulya in Rumpin subdistrict, a 2009 ministerial decree states that 1,000 hectares in Sukamulya belongs to the Indonesian Air Force. The Association of Sukamulya Residents, as the protesters call themselves, posted banners in the gates to the House to urge the government to revoke the decree.

Two lawmakers met with the demonstrators to try to solve the dispute.

"We are going to work until all of you can sleep peacefully on your land. I will take you directly to the military and fight for your land," one of the lawmakers told demonstrators.

One of the residents said that he hoped the lawmakers would keep their promises, and claimed that they have been intimidated for the last three days.

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