2 jam yang lalu
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Around 200 coastal fishermen from Bintan, Riau Islands, staged a protest at the Riau Islands Governor’s Office on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. This marked their second demonstration against sand sedimentation activities in the waters of Bintan and Lingga.
Protesters displayed banners and signed a petition rejecting the planned operations of dozens of sand mining companies within their fishing grounds.
The protest took place at the entrance gate of the Governor’s Office under police and public order agency (Satpol PP) escort. The crowd was initially held at the entrance before delivering speeches.
Rudi, Coordinator of the Bintan Coastal Fishermen's Community Alliance, stated that the protest was resumed because the local government had failed to fulfill promises made during their previous demonstration.
"We are protesting today because the Regional Secretary (Sekda) promised to visit the villages and see the condition of the fishermen affected by the sea sedimentation during the first protest, but until today, he has not come," Rudi told journalists.
Rudi explained that the participants are coastal residents who fish in waters ranging from Numbing Island to Dendun Island, Lingga. This area will be directly affected once sand sedimentation activities commence.
"That area is where we fish. If sedimentation takes place, it will definitely have an impact. That's why we refuse," he said.
He noted that the impact of the project is already being felt, even though it is not yet fully operational. "Fishermen's nets have been broken after being hit by ships taking sediment samples. What will happen when the company is fully operational?" he added.
After 15 minutes of speeches, Riau Islands Provincial Secretary Misni and several department heads met the protesters. During the dialogue, Misni urged the fishermen to remain calm and promised to send a task force to meet affected residents in Bintan.
"We can only accept the aspirations. All inputs will be forwarded to the central government," Misni told the crowd. He emphasized that the provincial government lacks the authority to revoke permits for sand sedimentation, as jurisdiction lies with the central government.
However, Misni stated that relevant agencies and central government representatives are scheduled to visit fishermen in Kijang the following day to hear complaints directly. "Tomorrow, the government agencies will go down together with the central government to meet the residents in Kijang," he said.
This explanation did not fully ease the fishermen’s frustration. Rudi argued that the community has consistently voiced its concerns over the past year without seeing concrete government action.
"If the sea sedimentation continues, it means the officials have failed in carrying out their duties. They are not siding with the people," he said.
He mentioned that the fishermen had previously warned the Riau Islands Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) and the provincial government of risks ranging from damaged fishery grounds to ecological destruction. "But until now, there has been no action. We are also confused about what else to do," he said.
Following the protest, the fishermen dispersed in an orderly manner. They plan to meet local government representatives in Kijang tomorrow.
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