Members of the Belimbing clan, a minor indigenous community in West Lampung, are scared of two Sumatran tigers currently roaming their settlement.

The two tigers were released at Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, which borders the Belimbing clan's settlement, in July.

The tigers have been venturing into the village and preying on livestock every day for the past three months. Arrangements to relocate hundreds of residents are still unclear.

"We refuse to be relocated from our mother soil despite being compensated," Belimbing clan leader, A. Zulqornain Syarif Gelar Suntan Panji Negara, said recently.

The area is customary land where the Belimbing clan have resided for a long time. It was an enclave within the national park before being legally excluded as a hamlet and recognized by the government.

The Belimbing traditional community did not dispute the tigers release in the wild by a company owned by tycoon Tomy Winata and backed by the Forestry Ministry.

"The community is used to the tiger's presence. The tiger and people have been living side by side peacefully for hundreds of years. But if the traditional clan has to move out of the forest, it means our race will disappear," Zulqornain said.

The issue of relocating the 164 Belimbing families to safer ground remains unclear. The West Lampung regency administration is still waiting for permission from the Forestry Ministry and help from third parties.

Law observer from Lampung University Armen Yasir said a forced relocation of residents was against basic human rights and the 1945 Constitution.

"The Constitution ensures that the state protects its people. Relocating a particular clan or race through coercion is the same as seizing their rights and existence," Armen said.

Chairman of the Alliance of Indigenous Peoples' Lampung chapter, Ichwanto, said the group would continue to lobby the West Lampung administration in an effort to protect the Belimbing community.

"Despite their small number, the Belimbing clan is a part of Indonesia and must be protected by the state. We will report the case to the National Commission on Human Rights if we reach a deadlock," he said.

A traditional elder in Pangekahan, Khusairi Raja Muda, said he would continue defending the area.

Half of the 164 families, or 500 people, are of the Belimbing clan, while the other half consist of newcomers from the Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese, Buginese and Batak ethnic groups, Khusairi said.

"We staunchly uphold our traditions and don't want to leave Pangekahan. We will oppose relocation despite compensation of 1.5 hectares of farmland and Rp 7.5 million (US$680) for each family," he said.

Bengkunat Belimbing district chief M. Nizom offered to move the villagers to Sumber Rejo village after the release of the two tigers.

Nizom told residents that they would receive 1.5 hectares of farmland, Rp 5 million in cash, a four-by-six-meter house and living costs for six months under a West Lampung decree.

"Many residents were lured by the offer and agreed to be relocated," Khusairi said.

"The regent later changed his mind, saying each family would only receive 1.5 hectares of farmland and Rp 7.5 million in cash."

Two of five tigers caught by residents in Aceh were released in Tambling Wildlife Nature Conservation, which is part of the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, on July 22.

Back then, Tomy Winata and the Forestry Minister Malam Sambat Kaban assured residents that the tigers would not encroach on human settlements as there was enough food sources in the forest.

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