JATAM | Mining Advocacy Network

Visitors from Hong Kong came in 2005, called PT Famiaterdio Nagara (FN), and PT. Fine limited Wealthy (Hong Kong, China). They are mining companies which interested to dredge the black beads along the Penago coast. The beach is rich  with iron ore, they said.  Apparently Penago Baru coast is not a common beach sand. Under the layers of white sand that was blackened, saved millions metric tons of iron ore. They say the area of 450 hectares which stretches from Rawa Indah village, Penago Baru, until Pasar Talo Village contains 21 thousand metric tons of iron ore. It can be imagined if the concession area covering 3645 ha, like those of PT.FN, how many content of iron ore that can be dredged.

Penago, From Inter-village Fights to Peace
By: Ali Akbar, Zenzi Suhadi and Firmansyah

This rarely happens. Residents between villages which had been fighting each other for years, choosing peace, united shoulder to shoulder expel uninvited guest, and threatened their safety: iron-ore mines.

This peace story begins in Penago Baru Village.

Penago Baru, a village in the Ilir Talo District, Seluma Regency, Bengkulu Province. Formerly, this village became part of Pasar Talo Village, one of the oldest villages there, since 1978 Penago Baru becoming  a self village . There are 508 families living there.

There is no written document that tells the origin of this village. However, there are at least three versions of the village origin which the residents remembered through the speak history.

Some say, Penago is the name of large river that crosses the village. The Penago River upstream located in the region of South Bukit Barisan National Park. It is said there, a kind of tree grows whose name is exactly like the name of the river, the Penago trees. What this tree look like, unfortunately, none of the village elders knows it.

Another story says, Penago rivers flow into the sea. Long ago, when the village founders was still alive, there are extraordinary events. Penago River entered by a big dragon, so that the river overflowed and flooded the village. Dragon in the local language is ‘Nago’. However, again none of the elders there could tell the full story.

The lattest, originated during the British colonial era. This village, formerly occupied by Puyang Rajo Batin  that comes from Manna, the capital of South Bengkulu Regency. It says that Puyang Penago give “Penago” name for their village. Puyang Rajo Batin  was also a fighter who actively expel invaders.

From Puyang Rajo Batin, this is what has been believe by Penago citizens as their elders.

Penago Baru is the separation of Pasar Talo Village, the eldest village. Pasar Talo increasingly developed, some descendant born and make new settlements along the coast. Then cause the born of Penanakan Village, Padang Batu Village, Penago Village I, Penago Village II and Penago Village.

Penago beach has a length more than five kilometers. The rug of the sand mixed between white with blackish color. This beach is directly facing the Indonesian Ocean. Sea wind bring big waves to the shore. If the sea is friendly, the high tide there only 1.5 to 2 meters.

Here, the forest beach is relatively natural with the lined of Ketapang tree, Coconuts, and several other tropical forest plants, which acts as a green belt.

Although these forests are often visited by people, but wildlife is still easy to find here, like monkeys, wild boar, birds beach. Occasionally the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and star fruit turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), landed to lay their eggs.

Usually, every afternoon many people came to Penago Coast with their friends and family, take a swimming while enjoying the peangan (scenery). The waves  pounding which come and go, greeted the visitors that swimming, and sitting on the edge of the beach. Occasionally the children raced to block the waves with laughter.

Some people also seem to capture fish, search for mussels and fishing along the beach shore. If the turtle egg-laying season, in June and July, people are also arriving on this beach at night. At first they took the turtle eggs for sale or even cooked. However, recently people knows if the turtles are protected animals. Turtle egg hunting activity gradually subsided. Moreover, the number of turtles that landed also began to subside.

Mr. Sailun, Penago Baru citizens said,''In the 90's are still found many turtle laying eggs in Penago Coast, if now it's a bit difficult, "he said.

July, two months ago, there was 7 turtles landed on Penago shore to lay their eggs. Sometimes it can also found in February, March and April. But that rarely happened, said Mr. Sailun.

Residents of New Penago, Penago I, Penago II and Rawa Indah that inhabiting this coastal area know very well the importance of maintaining beach. They know, if the coastal forests and coastal areas damaged, then their birthplace will be the first that swallowed by the sea violent. They are also concerned about the threat of tsunami that always peeking the people tranquility along the Bengkulu coast.

Most of Penago Baru residents are farmers and traditional fishermen. They also take care palm oil plantations, looking for fish in the sea, and wet-rice cultivation. If the weather is good, they go to sea looking for fish, or to the beach looking for seashell, and scallops (a kind of shelled animals that was related to shellfish) . The cook direction is the same like cooking shellfish.

Beside the coast, there are four rivers flowing into Penago beach. They are Seluma river, Air Gesikan river, Air Penanakan river, and Air Penago River. Seluma is the widest river, with a range reaches 20 meters. These rivers become a living place for variety of fish, like Belanak, grouper, ponds fish and waters fish, whose life is affected by sea tidal.

The rivers were also citizens tourist choice, especially fishing tours. Not infrequently, people from outside the city, such as Bengkulu and Seluma Regency City, come and fishing there. The fishing height can be marked during the night. If from far distance it can seen the flickering glare lined along the river, it was the sign of ongoing fishing activities. The lights that brought by the fishermen is flicker from a distance.

Penago Baru  region, down to Pasar Talo Village actually is part of conservation areas, Pasar Talo nature reserves, which is set by the Minister of Forestry Decree No. 420 of 1999. Its Coastal areas was protected through Presidential Decree No. 32 of 1999 about the beach finish line. This region is dominated by sea pine trees (Casuarina. Sp) and Cassia alata (Catapa). Unfortunately, although potential for tourism area,  this area is considered by the government doesn’t give economic contribution.

Penago coastal forest is acting as a green belt, protector of  its surrounding land from the wind scraping and Indonesia ocean waves which very gusty. Moreover, the coastal areas of Bengkulu West Coast has a slope between 0 to 15 percent. The geological structure developing from Bengkulu basin, the tertiary basin which formed and developed because the chunk large that occurred since upper lime year, early Tertiary. This is the characteristic of Sumatra island western coast. In accordance with morphologically, those region is part of western slopes of the narrow bukit barisan mountain.

Farmers & Fishermen

Most residents of Seluma coastal villages are farmers. They farm rice, coconut, and palm oil. Wrestle with soil, water, seeds, and trees are their daily activity. They are planting rice paddy and rainfed rice fields, once a year. This village is not using irrigation. The rice that they planted is rice with six months of harvest age.

To grow crops, they rely on village astronomy, which helped them capable to read situation and to predict possibilities. They know very well, when and how plants should be planted, as well as pest and disease cycle of rice. For example mice. Its not hard to break this pest cycle. Pause planting about six months is able to break the mice food cycle and their attack on rice crops.

But lately, pest is no longer bothering residents. They began complaining about the uncertain weather. Planting and harvest time became erratic. Village Astronomy is chaos. This condition triggers the emergence of destructive rice pests like rats. The erratic growing season made planting gap difficult to do.

Cultivation system here using traditional patterns. They perform jobs in growing the rice with mutual cooperation by taking turns. For example they plowing, planting and harvesting the rice in cooperation and take turns, from one family to another. Without paying a dime. The owner of celebration just provide food and drink as he could.

Similarly, if there is one family who held a party, such as child marriage, then the father will come to help, such as fetch firewood, making a long tent from the composition of timber and board as a place for the bride to alongside and entertained with traditional music. While women will help cooking, shopping, and others.

Not only in mainland, the people also rely their life on marine, become fisherman. In a way, nature provides an endlessly harvest result. Although, the government visibly categorize them as poor people, the residents there are not in deficit situation. Those at least reflected from Syafrudin story.

Syafrudin (30), resident of Rawa Indah village. He was born and raised here, until having wife and has three children. When he go to the sea, he used a form of net fishing along 200 meters, the net hole measure from 2 mm to 10 mm. Uniquely, he didn’t use fishing boat like other fishermen. He go to sea using 2 pieces of plastic bottles of 5 liters, which are arranged in such a way to  become buoy. This buoy was tied with a rope around his waist.

Only with this artificial life vest, Syafrudin, adrift at sea while cast the net, hoping the fish came into the trap net. Fishing season, approximately May through September. If a good day, he could pocketed Rp.250 thousand per day. Let's just say, he worked continuously for 30 days, then at least, he could collect Rp 7.5 million per month from the sea.
His fortune source does not stop at sea. Syafrudin family also has oil palm plantations covering a quarter of a hectare. If the garden is taking care, he could get additional income Rp 1.5 million per month.

Total, began from fish catch until the income from oil palm plantations. Syafrudin income could reach Rp 9 million per month. This has not added, the income of his wife who collects mussels on the seashore. Within a month, this mother of three is able to raise money up to Rp 1.5 million.

This family income reached Rp 12 million per month. No wonder if Syarifudin optimistic that he can send his children to college.

For their food needs, he doesn’t need to worry. There remains one hectare paddy fields, which in a year produce 40 sacks of grain, equivalent to 1 ton of milled rice. This amount is enough to meet his family need of food, until the next planting season arrives.

That was Syafrudin story two years ago. Since the village visited by uninvited guest from Hong Kong China, everything changed.

Uninvited Guest

Visitors from Hong Kong came in 2005, called PT Famiaterdio Nagara (FN), and PT. Fine limited Wealthy (Hong Kong, China). They are mining companies which interested to dredge the black beads along the Penago coast. The beach is rich  with iron ore, they said.

Apparently Penago Baru coast is not a common beach sand. Under the layers of white sand that was blackened, saved millions metric tons of iron ore. They say the area of 450 hectares which stretches from Rawa Indah village, Penago Baru, until Pasar Talo Village contains 21 thousand metric tons of iron ore. It can be imagined if the concession area covering 3645 ha, like those of PT.FN, how many content of iron ore that can be dredged.

They plan to dredge one million tonnes iron ore per year. About 60 percent will be exported with a value of U.S. $ 11 million. Currently, PT FN export Indonesia’s wealth about Rp 12.55 billion with the profit of Rp.4.05 billion.

The mine will be very profitable for the company. Ocean currents which are fast, making marine areas that have been dredged having accretion or sand accumulation again. This means the iron-ore reserves are continuously coming  to this region.

The government supports the company. Seluma Regent, Murman Effendi issued Decree No. 35 of 2005 on granting mining and exploitation authorithy to PT.Famiaterdio Nagara (KW.05 FRP 020) & Decree No. 36 of 2005 regarding the provision of transportation and sale licenses to PT Famiaterdio Nagara. The dredging permit along the northern penago coast, with the extensive of 3 miles and 8 feet wide. Whereas the area is Pasar Talo nature conservation. The area was also the settlements and plantation place of Penago Baru community since 1987.

Perhaps, governments are tempted by the company, which promised investment of US$ 850 thousand dollars, or approximately USD 8.5 billion. This modest capital is actually a combination of foreign companies capital, national and loans from third parties.

How much exactly the government will get? If we look at the royalties numbers from PTFN on 2008, Rp 300 million per year. So, in 30 years - according to permission that has given, and iron sand reserves run out, the government will receive USD $ 9 billion. This number is nothing compared to Penago citizens income from palm oil plantations and the sea.
Compare this with the residents money cycle from oil palm and fishing above. Syafrudin earnings can become comparisons. He earned Rp 12 million per month, for a year his family could raise money up to Rp 144 million. In 30 years, he collected money about Rp 4.3 billion. If, the average income Rawa Indah Village residents (580 families) not much different with Syafrudin family. Imagine, how many billion of money will going round in this village.

The presence of this company actually didn’t get approve by the people. They argued that these coastal protect their villages from the waves threat and abrasion due to dredging on the beach shore.

Regent Approval are criticized by various parties, especially the natural resources Conservation, as the area manager. Despite the protests, the company continued to dig, and refused to stop its activities. Whereas, these activities have threatened the safety over 5 thousand people that living in Seluma coastal. They began to feel the impact of this mining.

Early entry, PT. FN did not conduct open socilization to the residents about their plans. However, the company claims that they have socialized their plans to the head of village and its civil service.

Tensions between the citizen with the companies getting arose. Moreover, since the main road to the beach was closed for the public. Entrance gate to the beach is replaced, on the left side of the entrance, plastered in white metal billboard-sized 2 x 4 meters. There is a thick black writing: PT. Famiaterdio Nagara.

Five meter behind Balihoo, there is door with iron bars with the size of an adult's arm. Usually, the door is guarded by two to three security officers. Anyone who  doesn’t company employees is prohibited to inside.

A year later, in 2006, PT FN began sued by the citizens. They are demanding the company to leave. This demand was made public, managed to push companies to disseminate publicly. This is where they threw a sweet promises to citizens. For example, if the mines allowed to operate, the company will build a village hall, clinic, high school, roads, kindergartens, mosques, roads to the General Cemetery (TPU).

The promises were rejected by the citizens. They only asked for one, PT FN had to get out from their homes. This demand can not be bargained anymore. Because since PT FN operated, the citizens problems continues to grow. Those problem is perceived Syafrudin, Rawa Indah residents who formerly never been hard to live in Penago.

A year since the beach dredged, until now, his income from the sea to shrink drastically, he said;

"Formerly, just 300 meters from the beach, we have already catch fish. Now have to travel 1 kilometer so that to have fish. even, sometimes does not get a fish at all. Several fish also disappeared, such as gebur fish, purau, snapper, kadar, Belanak, " he said. The fish dissapear from the seashore according to Syafrudin, due to mine engine noise and diesel oil smell, as well as remaining tailings which dumped in the beach shore.

"Now, I only rely on palm oil plantations. Or become the palm oil harvest workers, and farm laborers, " said Syafrudin heartsick.

His wife is also experiencing the same thing. Mussels that formerly are easily found along the sand beach were gone. Sand as the house of the scallops had been damaged by the dredged and run over by the trucks which carrying iron sand.

Salikin (30) citizens of Penago Baru told the same thing. If only there is no mining, he is optimistic that fishermen, and well maintained agriculture plantation, will ensure the Penago Baru Village resident afford to send their children up to college level.

'We do not need mine, we just live with our efforts, we also do not need to work in the mines because the results only from the sea and land , we live quite peacefully, "said the father of these three children.

Citizens Rejection to the presence of iron-ore mining was tightening in 2006. But the company ignored it. They kept digging sand. Office spaces are started to established, trucks and giant size heavy equipment arriving soon, company building are stands, processing machines installed, and the people came in rushing.

Since then, those coastal villages placidity began disturbed.

Initially, coastal residents restless because the dust from trucks that passing through the iron ore through the village axis road. Dozens of truck passing by carrying heavy loads, making the village roads damaged. The wheels rotation make dust soiled goods, plants along the road, until the respiratory tract. Children are most vulnerable due to dust pollution, they often suffer from coughing and shortness of breath. Companies promise to watering the village roads that not paved are never fulfill.

Once all the facilities in place, mining and production processes were soon working full. The main activity of this iron ore mining company is dredging. Began in residential areas, beach and sea. These minerals then put into the processing tool. The instrument which equipped with powerful magnets will attract sand that containing iron ore. Furthermore, iron-containing sand put into the barge and ready to be shipped to Hong Kong.

The next complaint is the number of people suffering respiratory infection Respiratory tract infections, which began attacking the children to adults. The next people complaint is the number of people who suffering respiratory infection (RAI), which began attacking the children to adults.

Not to mention, since the company dredge sand. The sea became closer, the distance from the beach only 200 meters from the settlement. At night, the waves were scary, as if the sea water had come in the residents kitchen door. Additionally Bengkulu Sea coastal areas are prone of earthquake and tsunami, and coastal abrasion drove that getting closer to the settlement residents.

To Dredge Penago

PT FN Environmental Impact Assessment  (Amdal) Documents Drafting conducted on August 12th, 2005, the decision of environmental feasibility was stipulated by the Governors January 18th, 2007. Only a few community leaders who are involved in the drafting process of AMDAL documents.

In the Amdal drafting, PT Famia promised to reimburse the residents land with planting- grows system. However, in the field the compensation system only using the size per hectare of land.

Residents Felt Deceived

Later, in the field is not in accordance with Amdal documents. In those document mentioned, post mining-should be done closure in the dredged area again. In fact, a lie. Since 2006 until now at three mining sites, none of the pit is closed again. Even in some places, tailings, mine waste, accumulate any left.

Since 2007, dredging along 50 meter of the shoreline, which directly face the ocean, had severe consequences. The ranks of coastal forests destroyed, the trees are falling, changing function into pit region and a place where the separation of iron ore from the sand. The wide of the opened area was more than 10 hectares, all of which are Pasar Talo Nature Reserve.

Dredged coastal area profile change into steeper. This will speed up the coast abrasion. Buffer zone that all this time had been protecting gardens and residential settlement from coastal abrasion and this fast wind later on rubbed down.
Whereas every three months of each year, residents had to face a big tide from the sea. They call it ‘Geloro’. Sometimes also called the “bintang tutup tahun - closing years star”. Tidal wave now is threatening the Rawa Indah and Penago Baru village.

Dredging also threaten the rivers. There are two major rivers across this region, namely Penago and Penanakan River. There are also 3 small rivers. All are flow to the sea. Before there was mining, these rivers have never flooded until soaking settlement area. However, since the coastal dredging, land surface around the mouth of the river changed. In addition with the waves hardness that carried sand to the beach edge and piled at the river mouth. As a result, the rivers recede, which makes the river water rate into the sea is blocked.

In the rainy season, and tidal season, the river silting up makes the water overflow into the surrounding region. Including settlements, and flooded the village main street. As a result, not less than 20 hectares of plantations and paddy fields inundated.

Dredging is also carried out arbitrarily. They suddenly hoarding 3 belly bridges that have historical value for the coastal area citizens. The bridge was built during British colonial rule, and a liaison between Rawa Indah, Penago Baru to the Seluma city. The bridge condition as old as its condition, he can only accommodate motorcycles and cars with four wheels. Company argument, this bridge hoarding to ensure their transport trucks could pass.

Unfortunately if it rains, the river channels which filled had overflowed to the street, and flooded people oil palm plantation. There are approximately 20 hectares of residents plantation inundated  as high as adult male thight. As a result the oil crops shrinking, and late harvesting, the citizens lose millions of dollars.

Farmers lands affected by disaster as well. Until now, their fields and gardens can be planted yet. This is due to the arrival of rainy season and the damming up of Tebat river to wash the coal and the separation process of iron ore from the sand. The followed results such as coral and sand ended up as waste called tailings.

Almost all residents rice area, which its wide reached 100 ha, arable land yet. Although not entirely stagnant, but still could not be planted. Thus because the people accustomed to planting in unison. Consequently, if some area do not planted, then the other could not be planted too.

Other problems arise from the excavation pits that left behind. And later turned into a giant pool. Whereas, the land once is productive plantations field.

From Conflict to Recovery

The image of prosperity that promised by the companies and local governments from iron sand dredging turn out different from the reality. Welfare is getting away and facing horizontal conflicts.

This dredging industry was not much needed local employment. He is more in need of machinery and heavy equipment. Only 10 local residents who work in the company. Formerly, they were competent farmers. Now, they are only coolie, sand digger, cooker, office guards, and other low positions that do not require special skills.

These workers salaries are often paid late. Even ready to be fired, if the company management wants downsizing the workers, the reason is the mine not productive. Or even just to reduce the company's operational costs.

Unfortunately, this labor affairs that actually triggered the horizontal conflicts between families and between villages. Interaction patterns of rural communities that used were strong united, now in tatters since the presence of the company. Conflicts usually occur between people who gain profit from the mine, with people that felt harm due to the mine entrance.

One of those conflicts are the beating of Rawa Indah  citizens by PT. FN security officers of  August 13th, 2009, the mine owner whose Canadian came to Penago Baru escorted by Bengkulu police officers and security officers of PT.FN. Hearing this, some residents who refused mine try to come and asked the stranger needs to come to their village. However, without much talk, PT FN security officers instead, directly hitting one of the residents who come to them.

Finally, this conflict resolved. The beatings perpetrators and PT. FN dignitaries kneel in front the citizen who was beaten, so this case doesn’t brought to the police.

Violence and intimidation often comes after PT FN was there. Not only that, before that many residents who refused the mine also terrorized by PT.FN thugs, which is also the local residents. But, the thugs only terrorize elderly residents and considered will not do any resistance. This thugs actually are also local residents that have paid by the company. Those threat is a threat to kill with showing a knife, and other sharp objects.

Actually, the pro-mining communities are smaller in number, than those who reject mining. But clearly, those who was originally live in peace, now hostile to each other.

This experienced by Kaspan (40), resident of Penago Baru who worked at PT. FN. At that time, he held his son's wedding, Like the common wedding party, he invited all the citizens of Penago Baru and its surrounding areas. However, unexpectedly, that wedding party was quiet from invitations.

The people who refused mining agree to giving social penalties for citizens who worked for PT. FN. Kaspan was one of their victims. Only people who have blood relations, like uncle, nephew, are allowed to visit Kaspan party. The rest, banned.

Conflict between residents continue to grow, and worse. Those who initially side by side, in harmony and mutual respect were increasingly eroded. Uncle odds with the nephew, brother and sister, had conflicting and not talking to each other.

‘’Currently they are reluctant to speak to us, we rarely see, even if we meet with them tend to have feelings that are not comfortable. We love them, but they are reluctant to listen our invitation, no matter what, we love this village more to escape from the damage and destruction, "said Mr. Sailun.

The arrival of uninvited guests, making people break their partnerships.

First, citizens who agree with mining. In this range there are government group in the village level also some influential people both in the Rawa Indah and Penago Baru village. This group tends to ignore the agreement among the citizens. One of them, the agreement that Rawa Indah residents do not sell their land to the company. But these supporter treason and sell their land individually.

Next, the largest number are those who reject mining. They realize the place where they lived have different disasters risk from elsewhere. Their place are known vulnerable for tidal waves, prone to earthquakes and tsunami. These groups are continually stop the mining activities.

The third group is a group of cheerleaders. They are citizens who try to fishing in the murky waters .They are not involved in mining activities, but instead having function transfer to the natural reserve buffer areas with the reason that this area has already changed from Pasar Talo natural reserves into mining areas.

The first two groups are always fighting and in conflict. This happens even in all daily activities. Several house belongs to the groups that support mine, it cattle was stolen, and vice versa. Suspicion among them was high. Until now there are not any would prove who is the actor of this theft. This was over background that they still want to maintain relations between the people so that did not happen depper horizontal conflicts.

The problems getting pile up and more troubling. Gradually the residents stir change into anger.

They began to organize themselves since 2006. Village meetings began diligently conducted, discussing how to drive the company. They are doing various efforts, start blocking and making land mines to stop.

Residents wrote to the Regent, Seluma regent legislative, so that the company immediately shut down. Unfortunately, the residents letter are cool addressed. Finally, they expand the movement, by consolidation with the students of Bengkulu city, NGOs, and other independent institutions.

Felt not responded, finally more than thousand people came to Bengkulu Province Parliament. Again, the results are disappointing. They came home with empty-handed.

Lastly in January 2009, there was the largest action that they ever titles, with 1,500 residents, students and NGOs. They occupied Seluma Regent Government building for three days-three nights. So that making the office activities in this city paralyzed. Strangely in several times hearings session, until the demonstration, never once Murman Effendi, Seluma Regent, refused to meet residents. There's alway reason that he made.

But, this last action get the results. For three days and three nights they occupy Seluma Regent's office. They asked the Regent immediately revoke Decree No. 35 of 2005 on iron sand mining permit.

Finally, Seluma government surrender. Regent Secretary, Drs. Mulkan Tajudin, MM. issued a temporary suspension letter of mining until there is agreement between the citizen and PT. FN.

Action and this letter that makes iron-ore mines stopped temporarily.

Actually the government does not have to worry about the welfare of Ilir Talo coastal residents, so had to bring mines investors to the region's. Residents are economically independent. The government only needs to help improve the access road outside the village and electricity.

In fact, residents vision to take care their economic had much forward. In 2007, they had contribution to build a crude palm oil plant (CPO). Because the palm oil crop there is very abundant. Unfortunately, these people dream is fail in the middle of the road. Seluma Regent does not give permission for the factory establishment without apparent reason.

Reportedly, there are palm oil plantation companies in Seluma that monopolize CPO industry across the Talo coastal.

Citizen action to protect their management area are also beyond the local government action. They work together to restore the natural reserve areas and the damaged coastal demarcation because of dredged, to drawn the iron sand. Coastal forest is thinning. Residents having self-supporting coastal greening and work together.

On February 12th, around 250 people gathered at Penago Beach. Begin from children to adults. They decided to re-green 1 kilometer of land along the penago coast. There were 300 saplings of beach pine and Ketapang that they prepare. It took three days to completing the planting.

However, the residents patience are re-tested. Only 2 days from the greening done, Pine saplings that neatly lined up were falling over crush by company vehicle. They carry heavy equipment and magnetic separator.

The Residents do not want to give up. Now they try to seek support for providing planting seedlings along the coast. They believe, the region must be restored to restore the security sense from the sea waves threat.

They also decided to make village customary law to ensure the protection and area integrity. This village customary law regulated procedures for managing coastal finish line ecosystems and the penalties for damaging this village protected forest area.

From Fight to Peace

Iron sand dredging is no longer running. But the company also made efforts to influence people so that not interfere the corporate activities in the future. If they are allowed to operate again.

Companies trying to attract people's hearts with activities such as providing assistance for road development, public facilities such as schools and mosques. But it was rejected by the community. They only want PT Famiaterdio Negara leave from their territory. That's all that can make them able to live peacefully without being haunted by the threat of sea water coming into their settlement and the loss of livelihoods land.

Persistence also indicated by the residents by refusing the Corporate Social Responsinbility (CSR) fund for the region recovery and village facility construction. They choose to repair by them self the damaged roads and do not use any tools that will be built by the company.

Only occasionally a few employees from PT.FN doing surveys to sites that suspected containing many iron sand. They can operate again, if they get land from the community.

Unfortunately, so far the community has made a customary agreement not to sell their land to any party. However, many tactics that made FN to make the people who refuse feel anxious. Ways used by the companies is expel the issue that they will soon open the block 3, which is the sea area. Whereas the block does not have any environmental impact assessment (EIA).

This PT FN case has also reported to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs and has made complaints to the Bengkulu Police so that thoroughly investigated.

But, noy yet complete the case of iron ore in Rawa Indah and Penago Baru.  Neighboring village has also visited by uninvited guests.

Pasar Talo  Village, Padang Batu Village, and  Penago I village has the arrival of PT. Pringgondani Rizki utama, iron ore mining company. This company currently under the exploration phase. They pocketed mining exploration permits from the Seluma Regent Decree No. 126 Year 2008.

Residents of this three villages was also rejected PT.Pringgodani Rizki Utama. They asked r Seluma egents immediately revoke the company permission.

Pressure by the company rather than discourage the guts, instead burns the citizens spirit. And inspire other regions. The Regent's office Siege instead inspire other local residents who experienced a similar conflict with Penago Baru and Rawa Indah. This is done by Pasar Ngalam residents against the plantation transportation operations of PT. Agri Andalas.

In North Bengkulu similar movements also occurred. Senali residents burned police cars that accused citizen of stealing wood. Karang Pulau residents blocked the coal transportation road. Also citizen action throughout Bengkulu city blocking all road that pass by coal trucks since last February 2008.

Feeling the same and must unite with their neighbors, residents of this three village decided to meet the Penago Baru and Rawa Indah residents, invite to have the consolidation of joint movement.

In fact, for many years, Pasar Talo Village, Padang Batu Village and Penago Baru never peaceful, they are always getting into fights between the village, never abated. That's why this meeting is a historic event for the Seluma coastal villages.
Inter-village brawl occurred since the 1990s. Started by a bike crash, Padang Batu residents against Pasar Talo residents. Finally, the motor was burn by Pasar Talo citizens. Padang Batu citizens can not accept the treatment of its neighboring villages. From this point inter-village conflicts occur. Padang Batu village counterattacked to Pasar Talo village.

Ten years later, in August 2009, they gathered at Mr. Ali home, one of Pasar Talo village community leaders. At that time, representatives of Penago Baru residents, Pasar Talo, Padang Batu, and WALHI. They discussed how to conduct the denial to iron-ore mines in together.

The meeting ended with forgiveness and hugging one another. They agreed, the main enemy is the iron-ore mining company, PT Famiaterdio Nagara and PT Pringgondani Rizki Utama.

This rarely happens. The presence of mines, instead making coastal villages agreed to unite, fight to save the environment and the future of Seluma coastal.

Now their movement strengthened, not only the rejection movement at the village level, but the rejection of iron sand mining in the whole district of Ilir Talo.

Notes:
October 2009, Ilir Talo district community, Seluma Regent, Bengkulu Province, Indonesia will held a massive demonstration to Bengkulu governor office. Their target is the revoked of mining companies second decree, and asked the government for no longer doing any kind of mining activity.