Saronde Island Management Dispute Gorontalo Continues To Appeal Level

Saronde Island in Ponelo District, North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province. (ANTARA/Susanti Sako)

The dispute over the management of Saronde Island in Ponelo Islands District, North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province, continues to an appeal level.

The Regional Secretary of the Regency Government (Pemkab) of North Gorontalo, Suleman Lakoro, stated that his party was taking an appeal against the Limboto District Court (PN) decision.

"We (Pemda) as the defendants chose the steps to appeal. We have filed the appeal lawsuit since last week. All appeal lawsuit files have been prepared," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, December 11.

The manager of Saronde Island PT Gorontalo Alam Bahari (GAB) as the plaintiff won a lawsuit filed against the local government of North Gorontalo Regency as the defendant related to investment activities on the island.

Director of PT Gorontalo Alam Bahari Mia Amalia said that her party won the case 7/Pdt.G/2023/PNLbo on Wednesday 29 November 2023.

In the verdict, the trial in the provision rejected all previous provisions. Meanwhile, in the main case, the first mention is to grant the plaintiff's claim in part.

Second, declare the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) valid on April 26, 2013 (between the plaintiff and the defendant).

Third, declare null and do not apply Letter of Termination of MoU Number 800/Regent/106/IV/2021 dated April 9, 2021.

Fourth, state that the defendant has defaulted the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 26, 2013.

Fifth, punishing the defendant to return the fees to the plaintiff in the amount of Rp2,838,845,570,- (two billion eight hundred and thirty-eight million eight hundred and forty-five thousand five hundred and fifty rupiahs).

Sixth, punishing the defendant to pay the court fee of Rp. 4,161,500, - (four million one hundred and fifty one thousand five hundred rupiah).

Seventh, reject the plaintiff's lawsuit other than and the rest.

"Alhamdulillah, our legal efforts against the defendants of the North Gorontalo Regional Government who decided that unilateral cooperation had paid off," said Mia Amalia.

He said the real facts about the chaos in the management of the Saronde islands began to open up.

"This victory is not only ours, but is the victory of the entire North Gorontalo community, especially the people of the Ponelo Islands who have been left out after Saronde Island was privatized by foreign managers," he said.

If referring to Article 9 paragraph 3 of the MoU April 26, 2013, Mia said, this District Court (PN) decision should have been final and binding and must be implemented by both parties, and the space for appeal has been closed.

"We as investors who have faith together invite the North Gorontalo Regency Government and other interested parties, including current managers, to be able to sit together to discuss the future of the Saronde Islands," he said.