[Unofficial translation from bahasa provided by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

"The Supreme Court fortified Wawonii Island status as a no-mining zone" 23 November 2025

Residents of Wawonii, Konawe Islands Regency, Southeast Sulawesi (Sulawesi) laud the Supreme Court's (MA) decision, which designated their island status in the Banda Sea as a mining-free zone.

They expected that the decision would be fully effective. To escort the court decision, on Thursday (20/22/25) afternoon, residents from four villages in Southeast Wawonii went to the field. They want to ensure there are no further mining activities by PT Gema Kreasi Perdana (GKP) that have previously eroded their farms.

Contrary to the verdict, residents found that the Harita Group was still conducting its usual activities on the island.

There are several excavators, two bulldozers, and one dump truck still operating in the forest area, for which the Forestry Minister has revoked their permit to operate in forestry area (IPPKHKH).

...

Mando Maskuri, a resident, regretted this GKP situation. According to him, the company has been granted a six-month period to cease any mining-related activities following the revocation of the forest area loan permit on May 19, 2025.

During that period, the company was obliged to reclaim the mining pit, remove all equipment, and hand over the land to the Dinas Kehutanan (Forestry Agency) of North Sulawesi.

...

Local communities decided to block road access, after their request for companies to halt any activities was ignored.

...

Previously, Kemenhut (Forest Ministry) issued Decree 264 dated May 19, 2025. The content revokes the previous decree 576/Menhut-II/2014 dated June 18, 2014 on IPPKH GKP for nickel production operations and other supporting facilities in Konawe covering an area of 707.10 hectares.

...

The Supreme Court rejected the judicial review (PK/Peninjauan Kembali) submitted by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and GKP. The decision also fortified the previous decision to revoke GKP's permit.

...

The judicial review decision number 83 PK/TUN/TF/2025 further emphasises the urgency of closing mining operations that have damaged livelihoods and the environment in small island areas...

...

For the communities in Wawonii, the Supreme Court's decision is a significant step for their struggle against nickel mining on the small island since it started the operations.

Moreover, Wawonii is just a small island that is legally forbidden for mines.

The Defenders of Coastal and Small Island Advocacy Team (TAPAK), involving Jatam, YLBHI, Walhi, Kiara, and Trend Asia, accompanied the Wawonii community through the judicial process, called the Supreme Court's decision as an important milestone for the enforcement of human rights and rule of law principle in Indonesia.

...