An Indonesian Activist To Be Aborigin Honorary Citizen

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (Antara Bali) - The Chairman of West Timor Care Foundation, Ferdi Tanoni, was named an honorary citizen by the Aboriginal Australian at a coronation ceremony at the National Congress of Australia's First People in Sydney on Thursday (Aug 4).

The Congress is an organization to accommodate the Aboriginal Australian in Redfern, Sydney.

"This is a huge honor that I cannot describe in words," Tanoni, who is an observer on Timor Sea, said here on Friday.

Tanoni was in Sydney, Australia to advocate the cause of Indonesian seaweed farmers from East Nusa Tenggara province who have submitted a class action suit against PTTEP Australasia company at the Australian Federal Court for causing pollution in Timor Sea.

The author of a book, entitled "Timor Sea Scandal: A Political Economy Barter Canberra-Jakarta," met the co-chair of the National Congress of Australia's First People, Jackie Huggins, in Redfern.

Tanoni and Huggins agreed that there are strong historical relations between the Indonesians, especially Bugis and East Nusa Tenggara tribes, since hundreds of years ago.

He added that there is literature available that tells about Indonesia and Aborigines relations such as by Thomas Keneally, also made into a film, The Chant of Jimmie Black Smith, in 1978.

The relations between Indonesians and Aborigines were established between the sailors of Bugis-Makassar, Rote Island, Timor and Alor, who voyaged to the Northern Australia hundreds of years ago, much before James Cook arrived in Australia.

According to Tanoni, Huggins stated that the Indonesian tribes which had been in touch with the Aboriginal Australians are not only friends, but brothers.

Tanoni and Huggins agreed to follow up the meeting to strengthen the relationship between the Indonesian tribes and the Aboriginal Australians. (WDY)