Police Prohibit Masses Of Protesters From Sleeping For The Iron Sand Mining Permit In Front Of The Bengkulu Governor's Office

BENGKULU - The police did not allow hundreds of protest participants from the Coalition to Save the West Coast of Sumatra, Bengkulu, to spend the night in front of the Bengkulu Governor's Office. The masses asked the local government to revoke the iron sand mining permit in Seluma Regency, Bengkulu Province owned by PT Faming Levto Bakti Abadi (FLBA). Bengkulu Environmental Forum representative, M Frengky Wijaya said the community and students still wanted to stay in front of the governor's office until their demands were met. After negotiating with the Bengkulu Police Chief, AKBP Andy D Cahyo, the police still wouldn't allow it because the demonstration had a time limit.

"We have negotiated with the Bengkulu Police Chief regarding the wishes of the people who want to stay and spend the night in front of the Bengkulu Governor's office," Wijaya said as quoted by Antara, Monday, July 4.

Currently, students and communities from six villages in Seluma Regency are looking for a location to stay temporarily so they can continue their follow-up action on Tuesday (5/7).

He explained that students and the community would continue to hold follow-up actions until they could meet with elements of the leadership of the regional head in order to make decisions to meet the demands of the community.

"We will continue to take action until the leadership element can make decisions and fulfill the demands of the community because the Governor, Deputy Governor and Regional Secretary are currently not in place," he said.

The same thing was conveyed by the community of Pasar Seluma Village, Seluma Regency, Agustian, who said that the community wanted to stay in front of the governor's office.

“We make sure that this action will continue until tomorrow and with even more crowds until we get the results we want. We strongly reject the operation of an iron mine in Seluma Regency," he said.