Komnas HAM Investigates Alleged Persecution of Grandmother Saudah Rejecting Illegal Mines in West Sumatra

JAKARTA - The West Sumatra Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has investigated the alleged persecution case experienced by an elderly named Saudah (68) in Pasaman Regency.

"If the letter (persecution) is official, Komnas HAM will conduct a deeper investigation," said the Head of the Komnas HAM Office for West Sumatra, Sultanul Arifin, in Padang City, Wednesday, quoted by Antara.

Sultanul said his party would verify or ensure whether the letter signed by a number of community leaders was true or not.

"If it is proven official, then Komnas HAM assesses that there are indications of alleged human rights violations against grandmother Saudah," he said.

He said that after the case of alleged violence and abuse experienced by Saudah, Komnas HAM was still collecting data and information and would immediately report to the leadership of the Central Komnas HAM.

Komnas HAM together with the Indonesian Human Rights and Legal Assistance Association (PBHI) of West Sumatra Province and the Indonesian Environmental Agency (Walhi) of West Sumatra, discussed the case of alleged human rights violations and the impact of environmental damage that occurred in Pasaman Regency in relation to the case of grandmother Saudah.

During the meeting, Komnas HAM together with PBHI and Walhi Sumbar displayed a letter of alleged persecution experienced by Saudah. The letter, which was signed by Ninik Mamak Lubuk Aro, Rao District and witnessed by several people, contained two important points.

First, Saudah's sister was officially expelled from the Lubuk Aro Village VI community and all her affairs in the village would not be resolved.

Second, for community leaders or the community who complete any of their wishes, the person concerned is considered to have left the Lubuk Aro Village VI community, and their affairs will not be handled in the village.

Meanwhile, a representative from the West Sumatra PBHI, Teddy Berlian, said his party continued to monitor the case, including studying the articles that would be used by the police in investigating the perpetrators.

"The incident occurred on January 1, 2026 and the Criminal Code only came into force on January 2, 2026, so we highlight the legal process carried out by the police," said Teddy.

He said that his arrival at the local Komnas HAM was to ensure that the human rights institution would also highlight the alleged human rights violations experienced by grandmother Saudah.

Because, PBHI considers this case to be closely related to illegal mining activities in Pasaman Regency which resulted in persecution.

Previously, West Sumatra Deputy Governor (Wagub) Vasko Ruseimy urged the police to thoroughly investigate the alleged case of abuse against an elderly named Saudah (68) in Pasaman Regency.

"I ask law enforcement to move quickly to arrest the perpetrators without discrimination," said West Sumatra Deputy Governor Vasko Ruseimy.