Illegal Lead Miners Persecute Environmental Activist in East Belitung
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7 January 2022 13:57 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Roughly 150 lead miners raided the house of a known local environmental activist Yudi Amsoni in Damar, East Belitung Regency on Thursday, January 6. It is believed that the miners were upset by the fact that Amsoni would repeatedly report illegal mining activities in the region to the police.
According to Amsoni, who is a member of the East Belitung watershed management coordination forum (Fordas), the incident happened after he cited a statement by the Bangka Belitung Police Chief on one of his Facebook posts five days ago.
“I posted the statement issued by the Bangka Belitung Police Chief suggesting he would eradicate illegal mining sites along protected forests and rivers,” said Amsoni to Tempo on January 6. “I also tagged the East Belitung Police and Regent in the post.”
He recalled the persecution came not long after the Facebook post as state officials raided the illegal mining sites.
“They were incited by a person and collectively came to my doorstep. They accused me of filing a police report even though all I did was voice concerns for the environment,” he added.
This is the second time Amsoni experienced this type of persecution. The first incident took place last year when over 2 hundred miners went to his house.
Despite the repeated persecution and intimidation, he insists that he will not back down for the sake of the environment.
“I have been fighting for the environment for four years. This is my way of helping [preserve] what still remains," he said.
Public attorney Cahya Wiguna declared he will take the case and legally accompany the environmental activist in future legal steps.
Read: Indonesian Govt Continues to Crack Down on Illegal Mining
SERVIO MARANDA (CONTRIBUTOR)
