Mukomuko Indigenous People Reject Galian C Mining Without Permission

Perwakilan masyarakat adat Desa Penarik, Kabupaten Mukomuko mendatangi PT Agro Muko/DOK ANTARA

MUKOMUKO - Six representatives of indigenous peoples from Penarik Village, Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu Province, stated that they refused the activities of mining C sand and stone without a permit in the area.

A representative of the indigenous community from Penarik Village Musliadi along with five colleagues and the Village Consultative Body (BPD) of Penarik when met in his area said the permit for the excavation C mine site was in Marga Mulya Sakti Village, but also carried out mining activities in Penarik Village.

"The mine location is near an old cemetery in Penarik Village, and the sand and stone mining activities could threaten the grave," he said as quoted by Antara, Friday, February 28.

For indigenous peoples in Penarik Village, Penarik District, a number of old graves near the river flow in this area are considered cultural heritage that must be protected, because so far the old cemetery has become a pilgrimage place for residents.

Regarding the legality of sand and stone mining sites, his party has documents in the form of a boundary map for the Marga Mulya Sakti Village area with the Penarik Village issued by the National Land Agency (BPN).

Meanwhile, the local village government has never given environmental permits for mining to carry out activities in the area.

"We question why the mining activity entered the Penarik area while the Head of the Penarik Village never issued an environmental permit," he said.

Then, he said, there was an issue that the village received assistance from the mine, but after being investigated it turned out that it was a village official. There have been negotiations to the village regarding coal mining activities but the mine site is close to the location of the old grave.

However, indigenous people still refuse to prevent old graves from being damaged due to C excavation activities at that location.

Furthermore, his party in addition to warning mine owners to stop their activities and write to oil palm plantation companies that build roads at their locations not to accept sand and stone from contractors buying materials at mining establishments that threaten old graves in the region.