Provincial Government must Revoke the Permit of Sand Shovel Company in Ujung Pandaran

CIDISS – Public of social media and the people of Central Kalimantan, especially in Ujung Pandaran, Central Kalimantan is shocked by news of the presence of sand dredges around the Pandaran beach.

Fishermen in Ujung Pandaran Village, Teluk Sampit, Central Kalimantan criticize sand dredging activities in their waters. And since the presence of ships and sand dredging activities, this impact to the decrease of fish catches.

The beauty of Ujung Pandaran Beach is damaged by abrasion and now exacerbated by the dredging of sand beaches. Indeed, the Ujung Pandaran beach is one tourist attraction in Kotawaringin Timur regency, Central Kalimantan Province.

Sea sand mining activity has held the Mining Business License (IUP) which has been issued its permission since September 2015 by Central Kalimantan Provincial Government. Where in the IUP was signed by Pj Governor of Central Kalimantan at that time, Hadi Prabowo.

There are three companies that have Mining Business License (IUP) are PT Prakarsa Sejati, PT Kalmin Raya and PT Kalmin Sejahtera. Each company gets exploration license of sea area amounts 5,000 hectares.

Regarding to the case, Regent of Kotawaringin Timur (Kotim), H Supian Hadi requested to Central Kalimantan Provincial Government to revoke the company’s permit in conducting sand mining or graving C in Ujung Pandaran, Ujung Pandaran Village, Teluk Sampit. People assumed that the mining is for reclamation construction in Jakarta.

Supian said, the authority to revoke the mining permit is the authority of the provincial government. “The point is, I request to the governor, to revoke the company’s permission. Because this is dangerous, and it makes the abrasion fast at Ujung Pandaran Beach, “said Supian, Tuesday (17/10/2017).

Sand mining activity in Ujung Pandaran Village is opposed by local people. Currently Ujung Pandaran residents are struggling against abrasion or coastal erosion that has caused many houses collapsed.

It is feared if sand mining continues, then the abrasion process will be faster and will drown the Ujung Pandaran Village. (CF)