The conflict started in the town of Sampit, Central Kalimantan, and spread throughout the province, including the capital Palangka Raya.

[9] The Madurese first arrived in Borneo in 1930 under the transmigration program initiated by the Dutch colonial administration, and continued by the Indonesian government.

[13] Additionally, new laws had allowed the Madurese to assume control of many commercial industries in the province, such as logging, mining, and plantations.

[14] It was claimed that a Dayak was tortured and killed by a gang of Madurese following a gambling dispute in the nearby village of Kerengpangi on December 17, 2000.

[15] The scale of the massacre and intensity of the aggression made it difficult for the military and the police to control the situation in Central Kalimantan.

By February 28, the Indonesian military had managed to clear the Dayak off the streets and restore order,[19] but sporadic violence continued throughout the year.