Residents Complain to Zulhas as Ekas Buana Beach is Overwhelmed by Waste

A local woman expressed her grievances to the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas), regarding the state of Ekas Buana Beach in Jerowaru District, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), which is currently inundated with rubbish. The waste is scattered across the roads and has accumulated within the mangrove forests.

“Our location is quite beautiful, Sir, but the waste is scattered everywhere and flows into our mangrove forest over there,” said one resident during Zulhas’s visit to East Lombok on Friday (31/07/2026).

Upon hearing the complaint, Zulhas instructed the Governor of NTB, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, and the Regent of East Lombok, Haerul Warisin, to resolve the issue. “That is unacceptable. Sir Governor, there must be a Governor’s Regulation; waste must not be mixed and then dumped here. There must be a system for separating organic and inorganic waste,” Zulhas responded.

He noted that the waste problem is not solely the responsibility of the Governor or the Regent, but a collective duty involving all parties, including the community. “We are all responsible, not just the Governor or the Regent; the point is that there must no longer be litter scattered here,” he added.

Zulhas visited East Lombok today to inspect facilities at the Merah Putih Fishing Village (KNMP). He was accompanied by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, and the Minister of Villages, Yandri Susanto. During the visit, Zulhas actively engaged with local fishermen and residents, engaging in dialogue to gather their aspirations.