By: Ikhlas Arsyad – Director of kasuaritv
Kabaena, a small island rich in culture and natural resources, is now being forced to its knees by the greed of the mining industry. Instead of prosperity, the people of Kabaena are now living in fear—facing environmental destruction, a clean water crisis, and the gradual loss of their ancestral lands.
The spotlight falls on PT. Tambang Mineral Sejahtera (TMS), a company recently plagued by internal conflict and dual leadership issues. But beyond corporate drama, the on-the-ground reality is dire: deforestation without reclamation, river pollution, and alleged mining activity beyond licensed areas—all of which suggest serious legal violations.
Ironically, the company’s commissioner is reportedly the wife of the Governor of Southeast Sulawesi, raising public suspicion of political protection over illegal mining operations. The people are left wondering: is justice only for the powerless?
Meanwhile, promises of development remain just that—promises. Roads are damaged by heavy mining trucks, compensation for affected residents is unclear, and environmental reports seem to go unnoticed by local authorities. Even the Environmental Law Enforcement (Gakkum KLHK) has yet to take meaningful action.
If this continues, Kabaena will lose its entire ecological foundation within a decade. We're not just talking about trees and rivers—we're talking about a looming clean water crisis, the destruction of farmlands, and the extinction of a local identity passed down for generations.
There must be courage from the central government to take over the legal process. President Prabowo Subianto can no longer turn a blind eye. Without urgent action, the people will believe this country only serves the elite and investors—not its own citizens who defend their land with empty hands.
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Editor’s Note:
We at KasuariTV invite all Kabaena residents to send us verified evidence, photos, or videos of the destruction. Submit to redaksi@kasuaritv.com, ilyasapratamamedia@gmail.com or WhatsApp 0852-4244-7244. Your voice matters. Silence helps the perpetrators.