Cipayung Plus Rejects Gibran's Inauguration of the National Salt Farm Project in Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara

Cipayung Plus Group of Kupang City in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has rejected the plan for Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to inaugurate the National Strategic Project (PSN) Tambak Garam (salt ponds) in Rote Ndao Regency. The student alliance argues the project remains problematic because compensation to landowners has not been clarified. Farqih Pradana Kusnun, the Coordinator Chair of Cipayung Plus Kupang City, stressed that they would refuse Gibran’s attendance in Kupang City if the inauguration is forced through without resolving the land dispute.

‘We reiterate to the Vice President to give special attention so that compensation in kind to the landowners can be carried out as soon as possible. If the Vice President forces the inauguration of the PSN, we can assure that Cipayung Plus, the largest student alliance in NTT, will reject his presence in Kupang City,’ Farqih said in a release received by detikBali on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

The rejection was conveyed because the government is deemed not to have provided certainty of compensation to the landowners affected by the project. Cipayung Plus, comprising PMII, HMI, GMNI, and IMM, highlighted a land area of 11,590 square metres owned by Christ B.M Johannis, according to Certificate of Ownership No. 24.15.10.02.1.00879 and Land Survey No. 00885/Daurendale/2023.

Farqih said the government had reneged on its promises to the landowners.

‘Payment of compensation from the government to the land rights holders is something the government must implement, especially since this has already been communicated and formalised in discussions between the two parties,’ Farqih said.

According to the investigation, the family involved does not object to the land’s use. Previously, the family had also donated land for building healthcare facilities, schools, and a market.

However, Farqih argued the government has shown no goodwill in providing compensation despite the project’s PSN status. ‘Ironically, for a National Strategic Project, the government shows no goodwill in compensating landowners,’ he said. He also viewed land acquisition by the state under the banner of the PSN as a form of systematic rights deprivation.

‘These days, much land is being acquired by the government under the pretext of the National Strategic Project; this is a manifestation of rights deprivation that is systematically created by the state,’ he asserted.

Three Demands by Cipayung Plus

In their public statement, Kupang City Cipayung Plus put forward three demands.

First, urging Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka not to inaugurate a problematic project and to reassess the land acquisitions that have not yet provided compensation.

Second, rejecting the Vice President’s attendance in Kupang City and rejecting the project if community disputes are not resolved, as it is deemed not to improve welfare.

Third, urging the government to open space for dialogue with all stakeholders involved in the matter.