TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thousands of Balinese people took to the streets to protest against the Benoa Bay reclamation. The protest was held at the same time of the World Ocean Summit (WOS) event held in Nusa Dua, Bali on February 22 to February 24, 2017.
I Wayan Swarsa, coordinator of the action said that the protest was held to show the world that they cannot deliberately carry out their business interest on sea. Swarsa said that Bali will be an example of how the people can show strong commitment to go against the Benoa Bay reclamation.
"In customary perspective, something happens not only because it has been planned, but this [protest] must happen. It so happens that today there is a world event on business on sea," Wayan said on Thursday, February 23, 2017.
Thousands of people gathered around the Niti Mandala Renon square in Denpasar while shouting statements demanding President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to repeal President Regulation No. 51 of 2014.
Coordinator for the Bali People Forum Against Reclamation (ForBALI) I Wayan “Gendo” Suardana, stated that the protest was held to protect the WOS event. “We received information that the event discusses three main issues. First, issues on framework for sustainable investment on sea. Second, issues on sea wastes. And finally, issues on sustainable fishing,” Gendo said.
Gendo underlined that the protest was also held to criticize the WOS. Gendo hoped that the international event can be used as a forum to protect the ocean. "Not to accommodate private party interests. There are private CEOs that have interests in making investments on sea," Gendo said.
BRAM SETIAWAN
