The Struggle of Kalimantan People’s Resistance: A Deep Dive

The Background of Masa Perjuangan Perlawanan Rakyat Kalimantan

In the 1990s, the Indonesian government made an attempt to exploit the natural resources of Kalimantan, a province located in the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo. This exploitation involved deforestation and the displacement of indigenous people who lived in the area for centuries. As a result, several organizations formed to fight back against this exploitation. One of these organizations is the Masa Perjuangan Perlawanan Rakyat Kalimantan (MPRK).

MPRK was first established in 1996 and gained its peak prominence in 2000. It was a coalition of various organizations that shared the same goal: to prevent the government and corporations from exploiting Kalimantan’s natural resources. MPRK was initially established in response to the creation of two oil palm plantations, PT Kallista Alam and PT Surya Panen Subur, in Aceh. However, its advocacy soon extended to the destruction of forests, mining, and the marginalization of indigenous people throughout Indonesia.

The Objectives of MPRK

The main objective of MPRK is to eradicate the capitalist exploitation of natural resources in Kalimantan. The organization’s efforts are focused on four areas: political, economic, social, and cultural. Politically, MPRK aims to challenge the government’s policies that threaten the environment and livelihoods of Kalimantan’s people. In the economic sphere, MPRK aims to promote sustainable development through collaboration with small-scale producers in the province. Socially, MPRK aims to empower the indigenous communities of Kalimantan so that they have a voice in decision-making processes concerning the natural resources in their areas. Lastly, culturally, MPRK aims to protect and preserve the indigenous cultures and ways of life threatened by government policies and exploitation.

The Struggle of MPRK

MPRK uses various methods in its struggle against the capitalist exploitation of Kalimantan’s natural resources. One of the organization’s most notable methods is the barricade. Members of the organization build blockades to prevent the access of heavy machinery, usually from plantation corporations or mining companies. The blockades are usually made of logs, rocks, or trees and are positioned on roads leading to the area that the corporation wants to exploit. This method works when the blockades are built by a large number of people since it is difficult for the corporation to move the blockade without the use of force.

MPRK also engages in protests and rallies. The organization often holds demonstrations in major cities in Indonesia, including Jakarta, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta. These events aim to raise awareness of the environmental and social impact of capitalist exploitation in Kalimantan. MPRK wants to bring the attention of the public and government officials to the destruction of forests, the displacement of indigenous peoples, and the loss of biodiversity caused by the exploitation of natural resources.

MPRK also uses social media to spread its message. The organization has a Facebook page, which has more than 15,000 followers. MPRK shares pictures and stories about the struggle of Kalimantan’s people and the exploitation of natural resources in the province. The organization also shares updates on its activities, including protests and blockades.

The Impact of MPRK

MPRK has made a remarkable impact on the struggle against the exploitation of Kalimantan’s natural resources. The organization has raised awareness of the issue, both in Indonesia and abroad. MPRK has often been featured in national and international media, including the New York Times and CNN. The organization’s work has also been recognized by various human rights organizations, including Amnesty International.

In 2013, MPRK’s efforts helped stop the creation of a massive dam in the Kayan River, which would have caused the flooding of 450 square kilometers of land. The dam would have affected the lives of more than 60,000 indigenous people. MPRK’s protest and media campaign shed the light on the issue and convinced the government to stop the project.

MPRK’s struggle has also led to the creation of various policies that protect indigenous people and natural resources in Kalimantan. For example, in 2018, the West Kalimantan provincial government Implemented a moratorium on the issuance of permits for palm oil plantations. This policy was a response to the negative impact of oil palm plantations on the environment and the livelihoods of the province’s people.

FAQs

1. Are there other organizations similar to MPRK in Indonesia?

Yes, there are many organizations in Indonesia that fight for environmental and social justice. Some of the notable organizations include Walhi, JATAM, and Konsorsium Pembaruan Agraria, which is a coalition of various peasant and agrarian reform organizations.

2. What is the government’s response to MPRK’s work?

The government response varies. Some officials have acknowledged MPRK’s work and have implemented policies that protect the environment and indigenous people. However, some officials have criticized and oppressed MPRK’s work. For example, in 2015, several MPRK members were arrested for blocking the road to BHP Billiton’s coal mining site in Kalimantan.

3. What Can I Do to Support MPRK?

You can support MPRK by spreading awareness of the issue, sharing their posts on social media, and donating funds to support their activities. You can also educate yourself on the issue, especially the impact of the exploitation of natural resources on indigenous communities and the environment.