Thoroughly Investigate the Tahura Mangrove Case and Ask Attorney and KPK Intervention

Denpasar (Atnews) - The patron of the JARRAK NGO and the founder of the Wisnu Foundation, Putu Suasta, has called on law enforcement to directly investigate the fraudulent land certificate in the Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park (Tahura) Mangrove Conservation Area.

Suasta, an alumnus of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and Cornell University, surprised and shocked at the numerous land use changes in the Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park of Mangrove Area.

This came to light after the Head of the Special Committee for Spatial Planning, Assets, and Licensing (TRAP) of the Bali House of Representative (DPRD), Made Suparta, conducted an inspection and meeting with the Bali National Land Agency (BPN), the Bali Penida BWS, Tahura, and related government agencies (OPDs). A painful truth emerged for Bali.

The mangroves have been ‘raped,’ and allegations of a mangrove land mafia continue to operate. To date, a total of 106 land ownership certificates (SHM) have been issued in the Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park in the mangrove conservation area.

The threat of climate change has become a serious concern for President Prabowo. During inaugural address of President Prabowo at the 80th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, United States, on Tuesday (Sep 23), the President conveyed the tangible impacts of climate change felt by Indonesia as an archipelagic nation. Furthermore, he stated that sea level rise is a serious threat that is already occurring.

“The sea level on the northern coast of our capital is rising five centimeters every year. Can you imagine that in 10 years? Can you imagine that in 20 years? To that end, we are forced to build a giant sea wall along 480 kilometers. It may take 20 years, but we have no choice. We must start now,” he said.

Furthermore, the President also emphasized that Indonesia chooses to address climate change through concrete action, not just slogans. Indonesia is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Paris Agreement 2015 and targeting net-zero emissions by 2060 or sooner.

“We are targeting reforestation of more than 12 million hectares of degraded forest, reducing forest destruction, and empowering local communities with quality green jobs for the future. Indonesia is firmly shifting from fossil fuel-based development to renewable energy-based development. Starting next year, the majority of our additional power generation capacity will come from renewable energy,” he said.

Therefore, the mangroves of Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park must not be damaged, because Bali is a global tourist destination that relies on its natural beauty as well as its Hindu-inspired customs and culture, or Sanatana Dharma.

Law enforcement should be carried out by the Attorney, the Police, and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on the Island of Bali to prevent further damage to natural environment of Bali Island.

Furthermore, the Attorney General of the Republic of Indonesia, ST Burhanuddin, highlighted the still-minimal handling of corruption cases in Bali when he inaugurated several supporting facilities at the Bali High Attorney (Kejati) in Denpasar on Tuesday (Sep 16).

Natural environment of Bali is suspected to be damaged by spatial planning violations with minimal law enforcement, ranging from development on green spaces, riverbanks, seas, lakes, and roads to the presence of illegal mining operations in several areas on the Island of the Gods.

Since Bali experienced flash floods on September 10, having caused property damage and loss of life, Suasta also requested the Committee on Spatial Planning (TRAP) at the  Bali House of Representative (DPRD) which has been mandated by the Balinese people, to resolve issues related to Spatial Planning, Assets, and Licensing.

“The Special Committee on Spatial Planning (TRAP) of the Bali House of Representative has been working well. They must not be swayed by large investors, which could lead to the conversion of mangrove land,” Suasta said in Denpasar on Thursday (Sep 25).

The conversion of mangroves to SHM (Freehold Title) is suspected to involve large investors, both central and regional officials.

Law enforcement is expected to be impartial, with anyone involved imprisoned and prosecuted under civil and criminal law. This effort aims to restore the function of mangroves, both inland and seawater.

The purpose and benefits of mangrove management are for environmental protection. Mangroves are crucial for maintaining ecological balance and protecting coastal areas from erosion, flooding and seawater intrusion. Besides, it is also intended for climate change mitigation and adaptation agendas by storing carbon.

In addition, mangrove ecosystems are a source of food and livelihoods for coastal communities, supporting capture fisheries, aquaculture, and other derivative products.

Mangrove planting and conservation (rehabilitation) efforts must be carried out sustainably, with a blue and circular economy concept.

Provisions in this regulation include monitoring and controlling mangrove forest utilization activities to ensure their sustainability.

Logging and or rehabilitation requirements apply to certain areas, such as those near river estuaries, fish spawning areas, or those that serve as green belts. On that account, the role of mangroves has been recognized internationally, even at the G2 Summit.

All heads of state planted mangroves

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and G20 leaders planted mangrove trees at the Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park in Bali on November 16, 2022, as a concrete manifestation of  contribution of Indonesia to addressing climate change.

The event also highlighted the success of Indonesia in mangrove ecosystem restoration and promoting a green energy transition.

In addition, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) also planted mangroves with Cristiano Ronaldo in Bali on June 26, 2013, at the Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park. This event was part of a campaign to save mangrove forests of Indonesia, for which Ronaldo was appointed as Mangrove Care Ambassador of Bali.

A National Mangrove Planting Campaign was also carried out simultaneously by Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel across Indonesia in 2023, in 37 provinces, at 370 planting locations, with a total of 1,100,169 mangrove seedlings planted, breaking a National MURI Record.

This number includes planting by the Army at 231 locations with 572,669 seedlings, by the Navy at 79 locations with 443,700 seedlings as well as by the Air Force at 60 locations with 83,800 seedlings.

The event was attended by President Prabowo, who, at that time served as Minister of Defense, accompanied President Joko Widodo at the National Mangrove Planting Summit at the Angke Kapuk Nature Tourism Park (TWA), North Jakarta, on Monday (May 15, 2023).

Regulations governing mangrove forests in Indonesia include Law No. 32/2024 concerning Amendments to Law No. 5/1990 concerning the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and their Ecosystems, Law No. 6 of 2023 concerning Job Creation, as well as Government Regulation (PP) No. 27/2025 concerning the Protection and Management of Mangrove Ecosystems. These regulations establish the legal basis for the conservation, rehabilitation, and sustainable management of mangroves and provide sanctions for violations.

The legal basis for mangrove management is Law No. 32/2024, classifying mangrove ecosystems as a biological natural resource that requires protection.

Furthermore, there is Law No. 6/2023, which was enacted by Government Regulation No. 2/2022 concerning Job Creation, also providing a strong legal basis for mangrove ecosystem management.

Similarly, Government Regulation (PP) No. 27/2025 specifically regulates the protection and management of mangrove ecosystems and establishes various provisions to ensure their sustainability.

Criminal sanctions under Law No. 2/2007 (before the amendment) and Law No. 1/ 2014, anyone who cuts or damages mangroves can be subject to imprisonment for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 10 years, and a fine of a minimum of IDR 2 billion and a maximum of IDR 10 billion.

“In conclusion, the mangrove forest land that was systematically and massively robbed must be returned to Grand Forest Park forest. Second, all parties involved must be investigated and prosecuted based on clear and standard laws. Third, the task of the TRAP Special Committee of the Bali House of Representatives is fully supported by all levels of the public until it is completed,” he concluded. (GAB/001)