3 Pedestrians From Lumajang To Jakarta Complain To Komnas HAM About The Eruption Remaining Sand Mining Embankment

KOMNAS HAM/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) received complaints from communities affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru and the construction of embankments that were considered to be threatening the lives of local people.

"Komnas HAM received complaints from three pedestrians from Lumajang to Jakarta and complained about their fate and condition," said Komnas HAM Commissioner Beka Ulung Hapsara, as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 11.

The three people are Pangat, M. Kholiq and Masbud. They also represented a number of communities affected by sand mining in the Regoyo Lumajang River, East Java and the impact of the volcanic eruption that occurred in 2021.

In their audience with Komnas HAM, the three people conveyed about the construction of transverse embankments in watersheds that are part of sand mining activities.

This caused the lava flow during the eruption of Mount Semeru to turn into residential areas. As a result, there were casualties and the accumulation of residential areas by eruptive material.

Beka said that before the three complainants arrived, Komnas HAM had tried to find out about data and information from various parties.

"We will follow up on this complaint by asking for information from all parties involved," he said.

Komnas HAM will ask for information from the Lumajang Regency government, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), the Lumajang Police and the East Java Regional Police.

Meanwhile, the advocacy team for affected residents from the Damar Indonesia Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Dimas Yemahura Alfarauq said the victims who came were people affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru.

He suspected that there was a human error in the mining procedure and there was omission from the relevant authorities and the Lumajang Regency government. As a result, when Mount Semeru erupted, many houses were lost and there were casualties due to being buried by the Semeru sand flow.

"Currently the sand is being mined by CV, who lives side by side with local residents for investment reasons," he said.