Public Services Paralysed as Kebon Ayu Village Office Remains Sealed by Residents
The Kebon Ayu Village Office, located in the Gerung District of West Lombok, remains sealed as of Monday (31/08/2026). This situation has caused public services to come to a standstill since the initial sealing occurred on Wednesday (26/08/2026).
The Head of Kebon Ayu Village, Kasim, stated that the office was sealed using bamboo by a resident named Si’in from Penarukan Lauk Hamlet. The sealing was implemented from the exterior through to the interior of the office. “It remains sealed,” Kasim said on Monday (31/08/2026).
According to Kasim, the sealing was triggered by a dispute over the village office land, which is claimed to belong to Si’in’s family. He noted that this land dispute has been ongoing for quite some time.
In fact, this is the second time the village office has been sealed. “This is the second time such a sealing has occurred,” he remarked.
Kasim explained that the sealing has halted all services to the community. The village government has also been unable to establish alternative service locations because several essential service facilities inside the office are also trapped behind the seal.
Kasim admitted that he does not yet dare to break the seal, citing concerns regarding security and social stability within the community. The village government wishes to avoid a situation where the dispute escalates into a direct conflict between the administration and the residents.
Kasim expressed hope that the West Lombok Regency Government would intervene to facilitate a meeting between the village government and Si’in’s family to resolve the land issue.
“If we were ordered to open the seal today, we would not be able to do so. To prevent the impression that the village government is confronting its own people, we hope the Regency Government will facilitate the process,” he said.
The Kebon Ayu Village Office has been sealed by residents for five days, with bamboo placed across the office gates. The Village Head, Kasim, stated he was unaware of the sealing when it happened, as the office was still open on Tuesday night (25/08).
“We did not know because we arrived at the office to find it suddenly sealed. Last night, it was still in an open condition,” Kasim said on Wednesday (26/08/2026).
As a result of the sealing, services at the Kebon Ayu Village Office have temporarily ceased. Kasim noted that all staff members are unable to enter the office because the sealing extends from the outside to the interior.
“There is nothing we can do; everything inside is also sealed,” Kasim explained.
According to Kasim, the resident responsible for the sealing, Si’in, had visited the village office a week prior to the incident. At that time, he requested Rp 50 million, claiming he was burdened by debt.
This demand for money is linked to the claim of ownership over the land where the village office stands. In addition to the monetary demand, Si’in has submitted several other requests to the Kebon Ayu Village Government.
“Mr Si’in came to the office and stated he would seal the village office because we could not grant what he requested. The Rp 50 million was part of his demand. He had many requests,” Kasim revealed.
Kasim emphasised that the Kebon Ayu Village Government cannot yet confirm the validity of the land ownership claim. He noted that the status of the land remains an issue as the claim has not yet been clarified.