Manado, Ekuatorial – Two villagers of Kahuku, Bangka island were sentenced on Wednesday (17/12) to one year and ten month in prison resulted from years of on-going conflict between local people and iron ore mining company.
Airmadidi District Court, presided by Nendi Rusnendi, sentenced Julianus Tuhema and Fandi Kaongan with one year and ten months or 22 months of prison for burning down properties of PT Mikro Metal Perdana, Chinese mining company. Both suspects were given seven days to make an appeal. If not, then the decision will take effect immediately.
Meanwhile, Wilem Monunimbar, lawyer for both suspects said that they would appeal as judge did not consider witness’ testimonies. “We rejected [the decision] and would like to appeal,” said Monunimbar.
The case was a complication of the conflict between PT MMP and local people who rejected the company to mine their areas. As a result, local people had filed a legal lawsuit against local government demanding to revoke the company’s permit. In 2013, Supreme Court had finally granted their case and ordered for local government to revoke the permit. In July, Kahuku villagers were celebrating the decision before clash erupted between them and pro-mining villagers. One drilling vehicle owned by the company was burned down. In the following day, Likupang police arrested seven villagers accused of burning down the equipment, where two of them were named as suspects by North Minahasa police.
Families of both suspects were disappointed with the decision which did not consider its effects with their families. Reaction also came from activists. “We will not just going to sit doing nothing. We will continue to fight mining coming to Bangka island, especially with these villagers being jailed,” said Maria Taramen, activist of Tunas Hijau which has been advocating to reject mining in the island. Yoseph Ikanubun