Kalimantan comprises the southeastern two-thirds of the island of Borneo, the third largest island in the world. With its vast rainforests, fertile agricultural land, and mineral deposits, Kalimantan is rich in natural resources. Although industrialization is low, timber and mining industries have played a large role in its development. Over the years, Kalimantan has been seen as an ideal place for migration, and has received mass influxes of transmigrants, especially in the last three decades.
Over the past five years, the provinces of West and Central Kalimantan have been the scenes of mass killings of the Madurese by the indigenous Dayak peoples. Violence erupted in 1996 in West Kalimantan, followed by another outbreak in 1999. Most recently, violent attacks occurred in Central Kalimantan in March 2001. The killings were particularly brutal, as there has been a revival of the traditional, but long-abandoned Dayak practices of decapitation and cannibalism. Virtually no Madurese remain in Central Kalimantan as they have fled to escape the violence. The displaced Madurese are now living in makeshift camps in Kalimantan, as well as with family members in East Java and Madura Island. Most wish to return to their homes on Kalimantan.
For now, the fighting appears to have halted. However, the possibility of renewed violence remains particularly if the displaced Madurese return to their homes in Kalimantan.
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