Full Stone Mine Activity Criticized on Social Media, Kesbangpol Kendal Opens Mediation Room

KENDAL - The Kendal Regency Government through the United Nations and Political Agency (Kesbangpol) is ready to open a draft mediation room to bring together civil society elements with stakeholders related to the widespread criticism of the activity of mining C-grade rock commodities alias minerals.

This step was taken following a wave of uploads on social media platforms that were considered potentially creating negative perceptions and triggering destabilization of social cohesion. Kesbangpol ensured that it would immediately carry out internal consolidation with the Communication and Information Service (Diskominfo) and the Kendal Regency Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda).

Head of the Kendal Regency Kesbangpol, Alfebian Yulando, emphasized his agency's position as an instrument for conflict mitigation. According to him, clarification with the managers of digital information accounts (social media admins) is needed so that information asymmetry does not spread to draft social clashes in the domestic sphere.

"We will coordinate with the Regent and ask for further instructions. Together with the Diskominfo, we are also trying to collect the administrators of related social media so that various information and comments that are developing in the community can be clarified so that they do not create a wrong perception or wider noise," said Alfebian Yulando, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

Digital Information Balance and Respect for Civil Rights

Alfebian explained, the high public dependence on social media penetration as a reference for primary information requires the presentation of objective and balanced data (cover both sides). If the public only consumes a single narrative without any explanation from policy makers, then a distortion of understanding of spatial regulation is prone to occur.

"Social media is now one of the references of the community. If the public only sees one side of the information without getting an explanation from the other party, then the balance of information will not be achieved and can create different perceptions," he said analyzing the draft of the public communication phenomenon.

Institutionally, Kesbangpol emphasized that it still upholds the independence of the right to freedom of opinion and criticism protected by the constitution. However, he suggested that this environmental dispute be institutionalized through a more constructive face-to-face forum rather than just becoming an endless polemic in the virtual world.

"We appreciate the criticism and aspirations of the community. However, it would be better if there was a communication space that brought all parties together so that the substance of the issue could be discussed openly and not only developed through uploads on social media," explained Alfebian.

Furthermore, Alfebian clarified the administrative law map of mining, where the authority to issue exploration permits and operational production of C minerals is legally under the authority of the provincial government and related ministries at the central level.

However, the local government still positions itself as a recipient of the spillover of direct social impacts from citizen complaints in the mining ring area.

"In terms of regulation, mining authority is in the central and provincial governments. But in the end, the community will certainly convey aspirations and criticism to the local government. Therefore, we want to build better communication so that the existing problems can be found together," he said explaining the division of jurisdiction.

Kesbangpol projects the results in the form of restoring regional stability. This persuasive approach is considered very vital, considering that Kendal Regency is currently accelerating as one of the national strategic industrial centers which requires legal certainty and a healthy investment climate.