DINAMIKA LOCAL INTEGRATION WARGA EKS TIMOR TIMUR DI KABUPATEN KUPANG PROVINSI NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR

This study departed from the author's restlessness about the problems that often occur in connection with the presence of ex-East Timorese refugees in the Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. This problem arose because the implementation of local integration undertaken by the ex-East Timorese was not able to integrate the ex-East Timorese living in the region. Therefore, the formulation of the problem in this research is why the implementation of local integration of ex-East Timorese in the Kupang Regency has not succeeded in integrating the ex-East Timorese in the region? In answering this problem, the research used qualitative methods and descriptive data analysis guided by a framework developed from the Integration Theory and the Local Integration Concept by UNHCR in the Convention of Refugee 1951. Meanwhile, the main data collection was through interviews with resource people and supported by observations and studies literature. This study found that there were obstacles in the implementation of local integration experienced by the ex-East Timorese in the Kupang Regency. These constraints occur in the legality, economic and socio-cultural stages of the local integration process. The use of labels (ex-refugees, new citizen or ex-East Timorese), ownership of area and residence, and ineffective communication between exEast Timorese and local communities affected the success of the integration process. Social harmonization between ex-East Timorese and local communities is not solely the responsibility of the central and regional governments, but requires synergy and the participation of all stakeholders. The local integration process that is not running well can cause social conflict in the community and threaten the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia