Airmadidi, Ekuatorial – Celebrating World Environment Day 2015, green activists staged a peace rally rejecting iron ore mining in Bangka island, last week.
Tunas Hijau Nature Lovers Community along with other communities blasted that mining activities by PT MMP did not bring any welfare to local people. In addition, they also denied claims made by North Sulawesi Governor, SH Sarundajang and North Minahasa district head, Sompie Singal on the company’s investment.
“PT MMP’s investment is Rp 210 billion [US$ 15 million] not Rp 23 trillion [US$ 1.7 trillion] like they’ve claimed,” said Maria Taramen, head of Tunas Hijau citing on Indonesia’s Investment Board data.
The activists also claimed that foreign workers employed by the company were only using business visa. In addition, North Sulawesi district head was allegedly owned 30 percent share of the company.
However, Singal denied all charges stating that Bangka island was within the authority of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. “It is the authority of central government and not regional government,” said Singal.
Meanwhile, Maria said that negative impacts of mining, including abrasion, damaging coral reefs, fish population declining, pollution, tourism, and clean water scarcity. “Save Bangka Island, now,” she argued. Yoseph Ikanubun