Bangka Village Heads Urge President Prabowo to Halt Destructive Illegal Tin Mining

The pristine forests of Bangka are under siege from rampant illegal tin mining, prompting desperate pleas from local village leaders to the highest levels of government. Jada Bahrain Ashari, a village head, has directly appealed to President Prabowo Subianto and National Police Chief Jenderal Listyo Sigit Prabowo to take decisive action against the hundreds of dredging pontoons operating with impunity. The scale of the destruction is alarming, with an estimated 10 hectares of village land already ravaged, and the mining activities continuing 24/7. What is particularly concerning is the alleged involvement of local residents and 'backers,' suggesting a complex network enabling these environmentally destructive operations. The village head's profound distress is evident in his offer to resign, a drastic measure born from frustration over the lack of effective intervention despite repeated appeals to various authorities, including the police, environmental agencies, and provincial government. The local community's livelihoods, particularly those dependent on traditional fishing for shellfish, are being severely impacted as their natural habitats are destroyed. This situation highlights a critical failure in environmental governance and law enforcement, where appeals are ignored and illegal activities continue unabated, devastating local ecosystems and communities.

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We ask for this to be a priority for the central government. Please, President Prabowo and the National Police Chief, come down directly to stop these mining activities.