Mentawai People Demand Clarity For SEZ Development

By : Herry Barus And Aldi Firhand. A | Sunday, May 13 2018 - 00:03 IWST

Logistic Ilustration

INDUSTRY.co.id - Padang - A number of communities and students who are members of the Mentawai Community Consultative Body (BMMM) conduct an action to the Office of the Governor of West Sumatra (West Sumatra) demanded the clarity of the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the region.

"The main issue is the issue of land acquisition and the potential for inter-ethnic conflicts resulting from that," said Chairman of the Mentawai Society Deliberation Committee Cornelius Sabailatty in Padang on Friday (5/11/2018)

He said the issue must be resolved with the support of the local government, before the construction of the SEZ in Mentawai continues.

The community of landowners affected by SEZ development in Pasakiat Teileleu Village, Siberut Barat Subdistrict, Mentawai should be given assistance and legal protection when dealing with the owner of capital.

The process of transition of land rights must be clear and legally enforceable, whether the form of sale or purchase or grant with the replacement of existing plants on the ground.

Indigenous peoples should also be involved in that to anticipate potential social conflicts between citizens or tribes, as well as conflicts between crop owners and tribal landowners.

"In Mentawai commonly encountered by plant owners is not the same as landowners, it is potentially conflict," he said.

He said basically people in the Mentawai not reject the existence of investment into the Mentawai.

But people have been traumatized by the investment, one of them from the Mentawai forest concession (HPH) that has been trying for decades on their land, but has not contributed anything to the community.

"This does not happen again to this SEZ," he said.

Deputy Governor of West Sumatra Nasrul Abit said the development can not only be done by the government. Need the role of investors in order to accelerate.

The Government supports all eligible investments and rules. But it will also fight for the rules to make the investment felt directly benefited by the community.

"We will learn more about this SEZ issue before giving recommendation to the center," he said.

Vice Governor Nasrul Abit was also accompanied by Head of Tourism Office of West Sumatra Oni Yulfian.