Energy Minister Bahlil Avoids Protesters at Sorong Airport, Exits Through Back Door
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia avoided a crowd of protesters awaiting him at Sorong Airport, Southwest Papua, on Saturday (7/6).
Bahlil reportedly arrived at Sorong Airport at approximately 06:22 Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT) to inspect nickel mining sites in Raja Ampat. His arrival was anticipated by protesters and environmental activists who had staged a demonstration at Domine Eduard Osok (DEO) Airport in Sorong, Southwest Papua.
The protesters were demanding the government shut down nickel mines in Raja Ampat. They were seen unfurling banners highlighting environmental damage in Raja Ampat caused by nickel mining.
However, rather than meeting the protesters, Bahlil avoided them and exited through the airport's back door.
Bahlil's entourage, which landed at 06:22 WIT, initially entered the transit lounge at DEO Airport before continuing their journey to Raja Ampat. An envoy from Bahlil then requested representatives from the protest group to meet. However, when the protesters attempted to enter the terminal, Bahlil instead exited through the back door at approximately 07:02 WIT.
Bahlil's actions clearly angered and disappointed the protesters.
"Bahlil Lahadalia today deceived the Indonesian people and hid from the crowd by sneaking out through the back door of DEO Sorong Airport," shouted Uno Klawen, a Raja Ampat indigenous youth, at the scene on Saturday (7/6).
Bahlil reportedly arrived at Sorong Airport at approximately 06:22 Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT) to inspect nickel mining sites in Raja Ampat. His arrival was anticipated by protesters and environmental activists who had staged a demonstration at Domine Eduard Osok (DEO) Airport in Sorong, Southwest Papua.
The protesters were demanding the government shut down nickel mines in Raja Ampat. They were seen unfurling banners highlighting environmental damage in Raja Ampat caused by nickel mining.
However, rather than meeting the protesters, Bahlil avoided them and exited through the airport's back door.
Bahlil's entourage, which landed at 06:22 WIT, initially entered the transit lounge at DEO Airport before continuing their journey to Raja Ampat. An envoy from Bahlil then requested representatives from the protest group to meet. However, when the protesters attempted to enter the terminal, Bahlil instead exited through the back door at approximately 07:02 WIT.
Bahlil's actions clearly angered and disappointed the protesters.
"Bahlil Lahadalia today deceived the Indonesian people and hid from the crowd by sneaking out through the back door of DEO Sorong Airport," shouted Uno Klawen, a Raja Ampat indigenous youth, at the scene on Saturday (7/6).