24/12/2011 (Tempo Interactive) - Forty representatives from seven villages in East Barito, Central Kalimantan, yesterday demonstrated at the Palangkaraya traffic circle. They were grouped under the Barito Farmers Solidarity (SPPB) group and urged the government to stop granting permits for plantations and mining operations.

Thirteen customary land locations in Sarapat village, which is 685 ha in size, have been converted into palm oil plantations, harming their livelihood as rubber farmers. “We don’t want a Mesuji incident to happen here,” said rally coordinator Diana. Until the demonstration stopped, not one government official met with them.