TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Balinese people have been pushing back against Benoa Bay reclamation for four years and are about to reach it climax, the so-called puputan (all-out). The coordinator of balinese people forum against reclamation (ForBALI) I Wayan ‘Gendo’ Suardana in his speech during a rally with thousands of Balinese people in Sanur, Sunday, July 17, 2016, said that Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti had ignored the request for location permit extension for Benoa Bay reclamation from PT. Tirta Wahana Bali International (TWBI) on July 14.

“Minister Susi did not make a decision, legal logic says that as of July 14 location permit has automatically been extended by Minister Susi. I have to tell the grim news,” he said in Sanur, Sunday, July 17, 2016. “A two year extension.”

Gendo and indigenous village association (pasubayan) came to the office building of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry on July 13 to reject Benoa Bay reclamation. Minister Susi, however, was in Europe to attend an international convention. Gendo and pasubayan was received by the Ministry’s Maritime Space Management DG Bramantyo. “We had a discussion for almost two hours, we then met with the Presidential Staff chief Teten Masduki,” he said. “The case will be examined and be reviewed until August 25, the expiry date of PT. Tirta Wahana Bali International’s (TWBI) location permit.”

He said that he would not stop pushing back against Benoa Bay reclamation and stop the project of PT TWBI, owned by business tycoon Tomy Winata. “We will continue to fight against it, August 25 is our deadline. Will President Jokowi make a decision in favour of Balinese people?,” he said. “President Jokowi is currently studying it, President Joko Widodo is our only hope.”

BRAM SETIAWAN