The Hashtag Of Save Raja Ampat Echoes, A Threat To The Last Heaven On Earth

The hashtag for Save Raja Ampat which continues to be echoed to save the exotic island ecosystem in Southwest Papua from destruction due to nickel mining. (Special)

JAKARTA - Raja Ampat has been in the spotlight in the past week. But public attention is not due to the beauty of nature, but because of public concerns about the sustainability of Raja Ampat.

The hashtags for Save Papua and Save Raja Ampat have echoed on social media since last week. Until now, the hashtag is still being used by netizens, as a form of concern for what happened in Raja Ampat.

This hashtagSave Papua and Save Raja Ampat arise because of feelings of concern about the impact of nickel mining exploitation which is considered dangerous not only for the environment, but also the survival of local people in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua.

Before the crowd of hashtags for Save Raja Ampat, Greenpeace had held a protest during the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference at the Pullman Hotel Jakarta, Central Park, West Jakarta, Tuesday (3/6/2025).

Three Greenpeace activists with a woman from Papua unfurled banners when Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arif Havas Oegroseno delivered his remarks. They voiced concerns about the bad effects of nickel mining activities in Raja Ampat on the environment and lives of the local community.

"The government is responsible for the environmental damage that occurred in Raja Ampat, in Papua. Save Raja Ampat," said an active activist.

Former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti even voiced her concern through her social media accounts. The last Indonesian family named Raja Ampat is now in the threat of greed in the nickel and downstream industry, which is predicted by the government," wrote Susi on her X account.

"King Ampat: iconic tourism or nickel mining?" he added, underlining the challenges in Save Raja Ampat.

Not only that, Susi also urged President Prabowo Subianto to immediately take firm steps to stop the mining project, in order to preserve Raja Ampat.

"Mr. President @prabowo, please stop it immediately," he concluded.

There are at least five Mining Business Permit holders (IUP) in Raja Ampat Islands, Southwest Papua, according to a Greenpeace Indonesia search.

Greenpeace Indonesia Forest Campaigner Iqbal Damanik said, of the five IUP holders, four companies have carried out mining exploitation, and one is still exploring.

One of the five companies is PT Gag Nickel, which said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia is a subsidiary of PT Antam Tbk. PT Gag Nickel mines on Gag Island, which has a land area of around 6,035.53 hectares and is inhabited by 1,000 residents.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia has finally temporarily suspended the mining permit of PT Gag Nickel in Raja Ampat, after the hashtags of Save Raja Ampat were crowded. The freezing of the permit has been in effect since Thursday, June 5, 2025.

However, after visiting Raja Ampat, Bahlil said that the residents of Gag Island wanted nickel mining to be continued. The government is considered to be in favor of mining companies. First, because the Governor of Southwest Papua Elisa Kambu said the portrait of Raja Ampat's environmental damage circulating on social media was a hoax. According to him, the sea there is still blue.

In addition, Raja Ampat Regent Oriedenko Burdam also said that most people on Gag Island refused to close nickel exploration companies. The reason, they rely on mining activities as livelihoods.

Orideko also said that there was no environmental pollution in the sea around the mine site, based on the results of the visit by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil to Gag Island.

The statement is considered as a form of the government's alignment with mining companies, according to representatives of the Coalition to Save Humans and Nature Domberai, Ayub Paa.

"The statements of the officials are subjective and cannot be justified, especially to assess whether mining companies commit violations or not," said Ayub in a written statement.

The activities of nickel mining in the Raja Ampat area make people restless. Mining companies in Raja Ampat are feared to damage their natural beauty.

Raja Ampat himself has the nickname The Last Paradise on Earth or the last paradise on earth. Not without reason that Raja Ampat got the nickname. Raja Ampat is a dream destination for the tourism world. No wonder this observer is not surprised that apart from being admired by domestic tourists, it is also the target of foreign tourists.

Not only that, scientists and conservation activists also admire Raja Ampat, who is referred to as the heart of the world's coral reef triangle, an extraordinary center of marine and land biodiversity.

As for the Papuan people themselves, Raja Ampat is the land of life, the place of ancestors, the livelihood, and the harmony of the coupled nature.

There are 75 percent of the world's coral species and more than 2,500 fish species in Raja Ampat, which UNESCO recognizes as global geoparks. On the mainland, there are 47 mammal species and 274 species of birds, making them one of the most complete and wealthy ecosystems in the world.

But unfortunately, now the beauty of Raja Ampat is threatened with memories. nickel mining activities on five small islands, including Gag, Kawe, Manuran, Manyaifun, and Batang Pele are said to have violated Law Number 1 of 2014 concerning Management of Coastal and Small Islands, which prohibits mining on small islands with sensitive ecosystems.

Greenpeace Indonesia claims more than 500 hectares of forest and natural vegetation have been involved. Mining mud pollutes the sea, triggers sedimentation, and threatens the ecosystem.

"Nickel is predicted to be a clean energy solution, but ironically it creates destruction in various places. Now King Ampat's nature is also being held, the land is dredged, the sea is being damaged. Therefore we need to speak, voice those who are not heard. In times like this, nothing is stronger than the truth that has been voiced, "said Iqbal Damanik.