A mass of protestors gathered in front of the governor’s office in Renon, Denpasar on Friday.
Part of the “Tolak Reklamasi” movement, they voiced their rejection of a massive reclamation project in Benoa Bay that has been stuck in limbo for the past couple of years.
The demo was organized and attended by a number of groups, including the Balinese Forum Against Reclamation (ForBALI), the Bali Environment Forum (Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Bali), Jimbaran United (Jimbaran Bersatu), and Pecatu Tolak Rekalmasi.
“We will continue to make efforts to reject the reclamation of Benoa Bay. Tolak reklamasi! Tolak reklamasi Benoa Bay,” ForBali Coordinator Wayan Gendo Suardana said on Friday, as quoted by Kompas.
The area is considered a sacred place to the Balinese and the environmental impact of the project would be devastating, were points brought up again and again in speeches during the demo.
“Bali Governor Mangku Pastika should refuse the reclamation! The leader that we elected should side with the people,” said one of the demonstrators giving a speech, as quoted by Kompas.
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