Bareskrim Halts PT WIN Operations in South Konawe for Public Safety

The Special Crimes Directorate (Dittipidter) of Bareskrim Polri has temporarily halted all operations at PT Wijaya Inti Nusantara (WIN) in Torobulu Village, Laeya District, South Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on Saturday (30 May).

The decision, made by a team led by Bareskrim Special Crimes Director Brigadier General Moh. Irhamni, follows public reports expressing concern over social impacts and resident safety due to the company’s activities near residential areas.

Brigadier General Irhamni stressed that permits do not automatically legitimise activities threatening public safety, imposing strict conditions for future operations: “If nickel reserves are found and the company wishes to proceed, residents must first be relocated. If no nickel reserves are found, the status quo will remain indefinitely.”

Bareskrim Polri and the South Konawe Regency government have agreed that no heavy machinery or activities are permitted at the designated site from today.

Conversely, PT WIN’s General Manager Nuriman stated the operations are not nickel mining but construction of community facilities. He clarified the materials processed—cement soil, crushed stone, and clay—do not contain nickel. ‘Since this was never a mining operation and the intent was purely to assist residents, we do not object to the status quo and respect the authorities’ decision,’ he added.