Jakarta – Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia reportedly exited through the rear door of the Sorong Airport when protesters rejecting mining in Raja Ampat wanted to meet with him.
Initially, Lahadalia was on his way to Raja Ampat to review nickel mines in the area. His arrival however was greeted with a demonstration by environmental activists at the Domine Eduard Osok (DEO) Airport in Sorong, Southwest Papua, on Saturday June 7.
Quoting from Detik.com, initially the protesters urged the government to immediately close the nickel mines that are damaging the environment in Raja Ampat. They unfurled banners and pamphlets highlighting the damage in Raja Ampat due to nickel mining.
Lahadalia and his entourage arrived at DEO Sorong Airport at around 6.22 am local time. Their arrival was immediately greeted by shouts from the masses urging the revocation of mining concession permits on all islands in Raja Ampat.
Lahadalia's group then entered the transit room of the DEO Sorong Airport. A few moments later, Lahadalia's envoy asked representatives of the protesters to meet with the minister. However, when the protesters were about to enter the terminal area, Lahadalia instead exited through the rear door at around 7.02 am. This made the demonstrators disappointed and angry.
"Bahlil Lahadalia today deceived the Indonesian people and hid from the masses through the rear door of DEO Sorong Airport", shouted Uno Klawen, a Raja Ampat indigenous youth at the demonstration.
There are four nickel mining companies operating in Raja Ampat. Klawen highlighted the government's response, which only seems to be taking action against one company.
"Bahlil only mentioned that PT Gag Nikel would be closed temporarily, but PT Gag Nikel, PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining, PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, and PT Mulya Raymon Perkasa are still operating", he explained.
Activists are urging the government to take firm action to prevent the Raja Ampat ecosystem from being damaged by nickel mining. According to them, development should not damage the environment.
"We as the indigenous children of Raja Ampat ask that you do not turn a blind eye to the game of the central elite, our nature is being destroyed and stolen in the name of development by the state", he said. (team/dal)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Dicari Massa Aksi, Bahlil Keluar dari Pintu Belakang Bandara Sorong".]
