“Auditing Illegal Mining Pollutes the Sambas River, But Not Taking Action” Maung Kalbar Urges the Removal of the Head of the West Kalimantan Environment and Forestry Agency
By: Andri
Chairman of the NGO MAUNG Kalbar
“If an official knows the source of environmental destruction but does not act, then he is not part of the solution—but rather part of the destruction itself.”
HAS THE HEAD OF THE WEST KALIMANTAN ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT ADMITTED INVESTIGATION IS THE CAUSE, BUT KEPT SILENT?
The open and official statement from the Head of the West Kalimantan Environment and Forestry Agency, Adi Yani, naming illegal mining as the cause of pollution in the Greater Sambas River, is a statement that cannot be taken lightly.
That’s not just information—it’s an official admission from the government that the source of the ecological crime is known.
But after that admission: where is the data?
Where are the coordinates of the illegal mining locations?
Why wasn’t it immediately submitted to the West Kalimantan Regional Police?
THE POLICE CHIEF’S ORDERS ARE CLEAR — WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
West Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Pipit Rismanto has stated unequivocally:
“No mercy for illegal mining!”
Therefore, we urge:
The West Kalimantan Police Chief immediately orders law enforcement action against illegal mining in Sambas and the surrounding areas, based on the open statement of the Head of the West Kalimantan Environment and Forestry Agency.
There’s no need to wait for additional recommendations. Illegal mining is illegal. The law is strong enough.
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: HOW LONG WILL WE BE LIED TO?
The people have the right to know:
1. Where are the environmental audit results?
2. Where are the field inspection documents?
3. Where are the Sambas River water laboratory results?
4. What concrete steps has the government taken since the Head of the Agency’s admission?
We demand that all data be released objectively, openly, and relevantly.
Don’t hide pollution behind bureaucratic meetings and technocratic jargon. This is about the water the people drink, not numbers on a seminar table.
SUBJECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW: THE STATE CANNOT REMAIN SILENT
In modern environmental legal philosophy, the state is not merely a regulator—it is a subject of ecological law obligated to guarantee ecological justice and the safety of the people.
If the government knows but does not act, then it is morally, ethically, and legally guilty!
Amidst the destruction of the Sambas River, campuses are silent.
The water turns yellow, but there are no emergency lectures.
Fish die, but laboratories remain silent.
People suffer, but scientific journals continue as usual.
Science that does not side with the suffering of the people is another form of silent collaboration with evil.
When professors only speak in seminars, not during a crisis, then they are not scientists—but bureaucrats with academic rank.
Academics may have degrees, but if they do not speak out when the river is being killed by illegal mining (PETI), history will record:
they are smart, but not brave.
They know, but they don’t care.
Science is not for appeasing power—it is for shaking up injustice.
If universities remain silent when the people are deprived of their right to a clean environment,
then the people have the right to say:
“We don’t need sterile science, we need the courage of a vibrant classroom.”
Silent science, apathetic universities, professors who sit comfortably behind their desks—all of this is the most painful intellectual failure in the history of environmental struggles.
“Don’t blame the people if they no longer believe in degrees and intelligence—because in this intellectual silence, the Sambas River is dying.”
The Regional Leadership Council of the MAUNG NGO Submits STRICT DEMANDS:
1. Dismiss the Head of the West Kalimantan Environment and Forestry Agency Now!
Because he:
Already knows the cause of the pollution, but does not take legal action.
Fails to hand over evidence of illegal mining to the authorities.
Fails to transparently disclose the results of audits, inspections, and water labs.
Fails to carry out his constitutional duty to protect the environment and the people.
2. The West Kalimantan Regional Police Chief Must Immediately Take Action Against Illegal Mining in Sambas and the Surrounding Areas
Based on the Head of the Agency’s own statement, this is sufficient initial evidence to take action.
The state must not bow to illegal mining!
3. Urge the Indonesian Ministry of Environment (KLHK) to Conduct a Special Audit
Audit all palm oil, mining, and environmental impact assessment (AMDAL) permits in West Kalimantan.
Expose document manipulation and systematic practices of neglect.
The Great Sambas River is more than just a waterway. It is a source of life, an ecological heritage, and a constitutional right of the people.
If its water turns yellow due to illegal mining, and the state knows but remains silent—
Then the people have the right to fight, demand, and sue.
Pontianak, West Kalimantan, August 7, 2025
—
