Timika, NU Online
Students from Timika University and local residents staged a rally Thursday in front of the Amungme and Kamoro Community Development (LPMAK) office demanding the immediate disbursement of education funds.

The protesters, led by the chairman of the Timika University Foundation, Gerardus Timang, called for the funds, which are managed by LPMAK and come from a grant from the PT Freeport mining company, to be given out immediately.

<>This was the fourth time that students have staged protests about the disbursement of education funds. Timang said, "We want LPMAK to allocate the funds for the development of Timika University."

Timang said his office had handed over its accountability report on the use of previously disbursed funds, but LPMAK said the report did not yet meet requirements.

LPMAK executive secretary John Nakiaya said that as the grant came from Freeport, his office had to distribute the funds according to the U.S. mining company's conditions. LPMAK, he said, follows established procedures and will not disburse funds in the interests of only a few people. (tjp/dar)