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and field farmers in Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta, are strongly opposed to a plan proposed by the provincial administration to open an iron-sand mining project in their area, arguing that the plan will only cause them misery.

The farmers’ latest thoughts were expressed at a rally in front of the provincial legislative building on Monday, which was attended by 1,000 people.

Chairman of the Association of Kulonprogo Coastal Field Farmers (PPLP), Supriyadi, said that Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X had once told the farmers during a chili grand harvest in Kulonprogo, not to worry about the mining project plan.

He also told them to cultivate the idle lands. “We hold the sultan to what he said — that there will be no iron-sand mining in Kulonprogo,” Supriyadi said in his speech at the rally.

The farmers’ refusal of the plan was due to the planned mining site being located in the fields where local farmers have been successfully growing chili, which has brought them prosperity.

The PPLP also said in a statement that PT Jogja Magasa Internasional, the private company that will run the mining project, was planning to conduct its mining activities on a 3,000-hectare plot in Kulonprogo — a coastal area which was claimed as Pakualaman Ground, or land belonging to the Pakualaman principality.

In fact, according to residents, the Pakualaman Ground only covers 200 hectares — the rest belongs to the community, as proven by certificates of ownership.

The association also demanded that the Yogyakarta provincial administration revoke Bylaw No. 2/2010 on spatial planning, because Articles 58 and 60 (2b) of the bylaw plot the coastal area as a sand-mining area. The association considers the articles as being against the people’s interests.

The same move was also made on the same day by a member of the Yogyakarta Palace’s royal family, BSW Adjikoesoemo, who launched a book entitled Pembelaan Tanah untuk Rakyat, Jogja Gate, Pengkhianatan Terhadap Hamengku Buwono IX dan Paku Alam VIII which explains the history of land ownership in the province.

“I deliberately launched the book at the Yogyakarta Police headquarters so that the police would also realize the violation against land ownership and stop the iron-sand mining plan,” said Adjikoesoemo, who has been supporting the Kulonprogo farmers.

Adjikoesoemo also said that with the implementation of the 1960 Agrarian Reform Law, there was no longer the Sultan Ground or Pakualaman Ground.

“It doesn’t matter whether the Yogyakarta governor is appointed or elected, the most important thing is that the land is for the people,” said Adjikoesoemo who joined the rally after launching the book on Monday.

During the rally, the provincial legislative council’s deputy speaker, Tutik Masria Widyo, who received the farmers, bought Adjikoesoemo’s book for Rp 1 million (US$106). “Hopefully, the money can assist the farmers’ fight,” Tutik said.