Musmaulana – The North Maluku Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has condemned the actions and methods used by intelligence officers suspected of being from the North Maluku Regional Police (Polda) paramilitary Mobile Brigade (Brimob).
As has been reported, Walhi North Maluku held a rally to protest the screening and discussion of the documentary film titled Yang Mengalir di Kawasi (What Flows in Kawasi) which was shown at the Cinema XXI in the Jatiland Mall in Ternate, North Maluku, on Monday July 15. The environmental activists unfurled a banner during the event with the words "What Flows in Kawasi is a Disaster".
In a press release the director of Walhi North Maluku, Faisal Ratuela, said that in the evening following the protest five police intelligence officers came to the Walhi North Maluku office at around 11.30 pm.
"They came to the office to inquire about the protest against the film screening at XXI Jatiland Mall Ternate. We believe the police, in this case the five intelligence officers, have violated organisational ethics. They also came outside office hours and without a written notification. Is that official?", asked Ratuela on Tuesday July 15.
Walhi has confirmed that they will write to the National Police chief and the North Maluku Regional Police chief (Kapolda) regarding the incident involving the five intelligence officers.
"We will also visit the North Maluku Regional Police office (to urge them) to discipline the officers who are always threatening the activities of Walhi as well as the residents of Kawasi Village", he explained.
Documentary not consistent with the facts
Ratuela explained that the documentary produced by TV Tempo for Harita Nickel obscured the facts by presenting the spring water as fit for consumption by residents.
However, he believes the reality in Kawasi is that the fish in the waters are contaminated with heavy metals. In fact the spring water belonging to the native residents of Kawasi Village contains hexavalent chromium which is toxic.
He claimed that what residents around the nickel mine are experiencing is the destruction of their livelihoods, including the environment, water and local food. Therefore a documentary that fails to represent the facts or the plight of the residents is worthy of criticism and protest.
Meanwhile, a representative of the North Maluku Environmental Lawyers Coalition (KAPAL), Ahmad Rumasukun, claimed that they would take further legal steps regarding the actions carried out by the intelligence officers.
"We hope that the Kapolda can summon or evaluate the police officers, in this case the five North Maluku Polda Brimob intel officers who visited the North Maluku Walhi office", he concluded.
– The full statement by Walhi condemning the police intimidation can be read here: https://www.walhi.or.id/mengecam-intimidasi-anggota-brimob-polda-maluku-utara-terhadap-aktivis-walhi-maluku-utara
- See: Nickel down-streaming in North Maluku causing deforestation, rise in poverty. Halmahera Post – January 29, 2024
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Usai Protes Dokumenter Harita, Kantor Walhi Malut Didatangi Intel Polisi".]
