Pertamina Reported to Bali Police Over Hundreds of Dead Mangroves in Tahura
PT Pertamina (Persero) has been reported to Bali Regional Police regarding alleged environmental crimes that caused the death of hundreds of mangroves in Tahura (Forest Park) Ngurah Rai, Benoa. The report was filed by three environmental NGOs: Bersih-Bersih Bali, Gasos Bali, and Belati Bali.
I Nyoman Parta, a member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives for the Bali constituency, disclosed that the report was filed after contamination from diesel fuel was discovered in the area where the mangroves died. He stated there were elements of negligence in the company’s infrastructure maintenance.
“Today I received information that environmental activists have reported this matter to Bali Regional Police. Since the report has been filed, I hope the police will promptly take legal action regarding the death of the mangroves. It is already very clear that the mangroves died as a result of Pertamina’s pipeline leak, and the oil has been found,” Parta explained on Saturday (28 February).
Parta indicated that based on fieldwork and information from environmental activists, the contamination is believed to have originated from a leak in Pertamina’s fuel pipeline that runs through the area.
Parta explained that initially the mangrove deaths were suspected to be caused by heavy metal content. However, subsequently, fuel oil content that had seeped into the soil around the mangrove root systems was also discovered. This finding strengthens suspicions that contamination came from the fuel pipeline leak. According to him, the leak occurred due to the pipe’s age and corrosion. Inadequate maintenance caused the pipe to leak, and fuel contaminated the soil and surrounding waters near the mangroves. This condition directly affected the mangrove root systems, which are highly sensitive to toxic substances.
“The pipes experienced corrosion and leaked. After repair, the land was not cleaned thoroughly, so fuel continued to pollute the environment and eventually the mangroves died,” said Parta.
He believed the mangrove deaths were not a natural occurrence but resulted from negligence in managing fuel infrastructure. Therefore, he reported Pertamina so that law enforcement authorities could investigate alleged criminal elements in the case.
Parta emphasised that mangroves have vital functions for Bali’s coastal ecosystem. Besides serving as habitats for various marine life, mangroves also protect the coastline from erosion and large waves.
“If mangroves die, the last line of defence protecting Bali’s coast could be lost. This is a serious issue that must be thoroughly investigated,” he said.
This case potentially falls under environmental crime as regulated in the Law on Environmental Protection and Management. He hoped the police would promptly conduct investigations to identify those responsible for the pollution and damage to the mangrove ecosystem.
Based on the results of field inspections and findings by researchers and environmental activists, the number of mangroves that died in the Tahura Ngurah Rai area, particularly along Bypass Ngurah Rai, reached hundreds of trees. These mangroves were found to have dried and died suddenly, allegedly due to heavy metal and fuel oil contamination that seeped into the soil and damaged the root systems.
Previously, Ahad Rahedi, Area Manager Communication, Relations & CSR for Jatimbalinus Pertamina Patra Niaga, stated that Pertamina would conduct further investigation into operational activities in recent months. Based on the results of visual field checks, he said no oil layer or strong fuel odour was detected around the location where the mangroves died.
“Pertamina Patra Niaga, through the Sanggaran Fuel Terminal, will carry out checks on the chronology of operational activities over the past several months, particularly regarding pipeline work in the Benoa area,” said Ahad Rahedi on Saturday (21 February 2026).
Pertamina, he said, promised to accelerate the restoration of the mangrove area. Ahad stated that Pertamina would work with other related companies operating in the Benoa area, in accordance with guidance from the Bali Provincial Environmental Agency (DKLH).