DPR Commission II: Andesite Mining Equals Eliminating The Livelihoods Of Wadas Residents

Guspardi Gaus / DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives from the PAN faction, Guspardi Gaus, considers it reasonable for the residents of Wadas, Bener Subdistrict, Purworejo, Central Java, to refuse their village to be used as an andesite mine site for the purpose of constructing a dam project.

According to him, residents are worried that mining will damage the springs and rice fields which are the people's source of livelihood. In fact, most of the residents are farmers.

"The land is the source of their life, and when it is mined it means losing the livelihood of Wadas, who is in the Menoreh hills area," Guspardi told reporters, Thursday, February 10.

The PAN politician also regretted the repressive actions carried out by the apparatus in guarding security in Wadas Village. According to him, such an action can lead to various criticisms from various elements and cause unrest in the community.

The West Sumatran legislator reminded that in dealing with agrarian conflicts, a violence-based security approach would not solve the problem. Instead, he said, the impact would cause a sense of trauma for the community.

“Violence like what happened in Wadas Village must be avoided. Moreover, in this incident there have been raids, pursuits and sieges of community members and the latest information was reported from 67 residents who were arrested," he said.

Residents Arrested Have Been Returned

A total of 66 residents of Wadas Village, Purworejo Regency, Central Java, who were detained during tensions in the process of measuring the land for the Bener Dam project have been sent home.

"All residents are in good health and receive humane treatment," said the Head of Public Relations of the Central Java Police, Kombes Iqbal Alqudusy in a press release quoted by Antara, Wednesday, February 9.

According to him, the residents who were repatriated using the two buses received assistance with basic needs and gifts from the Central Java Police Chief.

During their custody at the Purworejo Police Station, he said, the residents were recorded and examined.

The repatriation of dozens of residents is a form of realization of the promise of the Central Java Police Chief and the Central Java Governor.

The land measurement process for residents who have relinquished their land for the Bener Dam project is estimated to be completed on Thursday, February 10.

Iqbal appealed to the residents of Wadas Village not to be easily pitted against by provocations from outsiders.