People Urges Govt to Close Quartz Mining in Central Bangka
22 August 2015 17:42 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A group of residents of Perlang Village, Lubuk Besar Subdistrict, Central Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province gathered in the regent office on Friday, urging the government to cease quartz mining performed by a private company in their village. The residents believe that the mining affected surrounding environment.
“In short, this peaceful protest is an urge from the people for government to revoke permit for quartz mining in their village,” said Chairman of Walhi Bangka Belitung, Retno Budi, representing the protesters.
Retno said that the protest is the follow up action of the previous protest rolled in mining site, which was attended by Bangka Belitung Deputy Governor, Hidayat Arsani.
“That time, Hidayat Arsani said the mining activity will be stopped or closed down, that’s why a group of residents are here today in the regent office to ask for certainty about when the activity will be stopped,” Retno added.
The three-hour discussion with the government official which was represented by Acting Secretary of Central Bangka, Saimi, resulted in the agreement that government will close the mine. In addition, people have asked the government to set deadline to implement the decision and to raise the issue to the provincial government.
ANTARA