If the police don't protect our rights, we will do it ourselves
October 21 2022
4 minutes
Sangihe is the largest island in the archipelago of the same name in Indonesia. With its white beaches and azure waters, it certainly deserves the name of tropical paradise. But unfortunately, the island is also a mining area. Kris Vanslambrouck, Asia coordinator at 11.11.11, went on a business trip with our local partner Jatam. His report.
Untouched pearl becomes mining site
The people of Sangihe are rightly proud of their island. It is a largely unspoiled gem with predominantly tropical forests and plants, and views of a string of small islands.
Most islanders rarely travel to the 'mainland', but there are a few who have seen the impact of mining with their own eyes.
When plans for large-scale gold mining emerged in early 2021, they were the first to sound the alarm. It quickly became clear that the company PT PMS wanted to act quickly. Their conversations with the local population covered a very limited number of people, and were mainly focused on the small group of residents who were employed by the company and therefore had a positive attitude towards mining.
Residents achieve second victory in court
On the day I visit the island, I read on Twitter in the morning that the court in Jakarta had cancelled a partial permit for the mining operations a few days earlier. This is the second victory that the Save Sangihe Island (SSI) movement has achieved in court. In May, another judge had already suspended the environmental permit due to the lack of consultation with the local population during the environmental impact assessment. Reason enough to celebrate this exuberantly, right?
Mining company operating without valid permit
First observation: upon arrival, not everyone at SSI appears to be aware of the good news. In the afternoon, my arrival is used to convene the members and discuss the case. There, it appears that people are mainly concerned about a judicial investigation following a complaint by the company PT PMS. Thirteen members of SSI had been called in the day before for questioning following incidents at various protests of the movement.
The latest incident occurred on August 17, the national holiday, when PT PMS again tried to get heavy equipment into the mining area. Wulandari, a member of the civil movement, testified: "A few residents heard the sound of heavy trucks and shortly after, the electricity went out. Apparently, a truck with an excavator hit a cable, electrocuting one of the workers."
The SSI members raised the alarm and blocked the road. A heated discussion with the company representatives ensued, but in no time enough opponents came out to block the road completely. Two trucks were taken back to the port and have not been touched since. The third is still parked somewhere along the road. The authorities used this incident to charge thirteen SSI members with sabotage, while the company was operating without a valid permit.
More than half of the island is mining area
Ibu Djul is one of the activists who helped organize the population, especially women, and founded the SSI civil society movement in April 2021. "This is a gigantic project. The 2021 permit covers an immense area of 42.000 ha, or 50 villages and thus more than half of the island, and runs for a period of 33 years. The population sees this as a threat to their future. And therefore not as an economic opportunity, as the company promoted. After all, the inhabitants are completely dependent on the proximity of the coast for small-scale fishing, on the few lands they have cleared for agriculture and livestock farming. We also fear the pollution of the water, our source of life."
11.11.11-partner Jatam mainly provided SSI with legal support in the two previous lawsuits. This month, they also provided the movement with financial support because they want to start a new lawsuit against PT PMS. They are asking for compensation for the economic and psychological damage suffered by the mining project.
But in the meantime, the residents are still waiting to see how the company will respond to the second court ruling. PT PMS is 70% owned by the Canadian Baru Gold. Up until now, the company has been quite arrogant. "The delivery of heavy equipment is pure provocation. They know very well that there are two lawsuits pending against their permits. Now that we have won twice in the first instance, we hope that this arrogance will turn into humility and respect for the rule of law and the residents of Sangihe. But our message is clear: if the police do not protect our rights, we will do it ourselves."
