Instances of Intolerance, Again

The government would like to give the impression that their handling of the Nusantara Dawn Movement (Gafatar) members evicted from West Kalimantan province and returned 'home' to Java was a humanitarian mission. A number of Navy warships were dispatched to transport thousands of people back to Java. But from the port, they were herded to shelters then lectured on nationalism, religious knowledge and given a bit of pocket money.

Why was their eviction condoned by the government and where will they go? These self-reliant farmers have long settled in Mempawah regency, West Kalimantan. They legally purchased farmland to work on, much like the well known self-transmigration program. Yet, suddenly and with no warning, early last month, their houses were set ablaze by their local neighbors. They were accused of being a dangerous group with 'deviating doctrines'. In response, instead of protecting them, the government 'rescued' them and took them out of Kalimantan.

February 2, 2016