"We ask the central government to increase the allocation of subsidised fuels."Samarinda (ANTARA News) - Dozens of activists from local NGOs blockaded the Mahakam river with small boats here on Wednesday.
The activists were aboard four small boats right under Mahakam Bridge. A speedboat of Samarinda port police was escorting the protests, and there were many intelligence and community control mechanism (dalmas) personnel on the Mahakam Bridge.
The activists claimed to represent the interests of the people of Kalimantan who opposed the systematic exploitation by the central government.
The activists unfurled their banners, urging the government to increase their share of subsidised fuels from 7 percent of the total national allocation to 14 percent, on the grounds of rapid economic development in the region.
"We ask the central government to increase the allocation of subsidised fuels, especially on Kalimantan Island," the protest Coordinator Hendrianto said.
Meanwhile, Sudarno, a lawmaker from East Kalimantan Legislative Council (DPRD), said the protests were an expression of the local people`s disappointment with the central government.
"I support what the activists do," he added.
The dispute began earlier this month when four Kalimantan governors and a number of regents on the island protested over the allocation of subsidised fuels for the island.
(Uu.I025/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
