Gorontalo Governor Regrets Burning Pohuwato Regent's Office

The Pohuwato Regent's Office was burned by a mass of mining demonstrations demanding land compensation from one of the mining companies in the area. ANTARA/Mohammad Halid

GORONTALO - Acting Governor of Gorontalo Ismail Pakaya regretted the burning of the Pohuwato Regent's office by a group of people during a mining demonstration in Pohuwato Regency.

"This action should not be carried out, because it will only harm the community," said Ismail Pakaya while reviewing the location as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, September 21.

He has held a limited meeting with the Gorontalo Police Chief Inspector General Angesta Romano Yoyol, Danrem 133/NW Brigadier General Totok Sulistyono and Pohuwato Regent Saipul Mbuinga.

"Frankly, I regret the destruction and arson carried out by the masses. The Regional Police Chief has made an effort to dialogue, it turns out that the mass action is not willing and destroys," he said.

The governor revealed that the Regent's office is a service center, a government center financed through regional taxes, regional levies and it comes from public money.

"So if we burn it, it means we are detrimental to ourselves as a society," he explained.

The governor asked residents of Pohuwato Regency and Marisa District in particular not to be influenced by wild issues in a situation like this. People are asked to think calmly by not promoting emotions.

"In a situation like this, we must think calmly, not prioritize emotions. We hope that those who carry out provocations, destruction and burning of the Regent's office will take legal steps," he stressed.

Ismail Pakaya will spend the night at the western end of Gorontalo while ensuring conducive security conditions until tomorrow.

"I will be in this place until tomorrow to monitor security and order conditions in Marisa (sub-district capital)," he said.

He encouraged the Regent and all employees to continue to provide government, social and social services the next day even though the office building was burned down. He chose to stay overnight to ensure all services run with several options.