Indonesia's Development Drive Leaves Citizens Uneasy on Independence Day

Indonesia has entered its 81st year of independence. However, for indigenous communities and residents living around large-scale development projects, independence has not always meant a sense of security, a healthy environment, and the freedom to defend their living spaces. In Kampung Sepaku Lama, East Kalimantan, the Balik indigenous community is facing changes due to infrastructure development for the Nusantara Capital City (IKN). The Sepaku Intake project is reportedly making it difficult for residents to access river water. During the rainy season, they face floods, while prolonged dry seasons trigger water crises. A similar situation is ongoing in Lelilef Sawai, Central Halmahera. Before the nickel processing industry developed, the community relied on their gardens, forests, and the sea for their livelihood. While industrial expansion brings jobs and economic activity, it simultaneously narrows the living space for some residents. Oktaviana Takuling, head of the Fagawene Community, stated, "Independence is not enough to be commemorated through annual ceremonies. It requires regulations that protect the interests of all communities and indigenous groups, not just the reading of the Proclamation." In the Aru Islands, residents of Marafenfen and Popjetur are also facing restrictions on access to their customary lands. The presence of a TNI Navy Airbase makes residents hesitant to open farms and access hunting grounds. Plans for cattle ranching investments add to their anxieties that their land will be increasingly controlled by corporations. Residents in Southeast Sulawesi are also feeling the pressure of industrialization. Those around nickel processing areas are dealing with water pollution, muddy floods, and damage to their fish ponds and rice fields. In Lamedai Village, Kolaka, harvest yields have declined after mud settled on agricultural land. Clean water has turned murky and smelly, forcing residents to buy water or fetch it from distant wells. Meanwhile, residents of Rempang are still living in fear of losing their land due to the Rempang Eco City project and the construction of an integrated school. This article was originally published on Mongabay