Residents Protest at NTB Transport Office Over Stalled Mandalika Terminal Project Worth IDR 11.5 Billion

Dozens of residents stormed the Class II Land Transportation Management Office (BPTD) of West Nusa Tenggara, staging a demonstration and burning tyres in front of the office. The protest, organised by the NTB Youth Activist Coalition, questioned the slow progress of the Mandalika Terminal service building project, which has a budget of IDR 11.5 billion. With only four months remaining until the end of the year, the project funded by the 2026 state budget (APBN) has seen minimal physical work.

Protest coordinator Kusnadi Unying claimed that no physical construction or heavy equipment was present at the site. He alleged collusion between the project’s commitment-making officer (PPK) and the tender winner, CV GA, noting that no work had commenced since the tender was announced on 6 February. ‘We suspect there is a game being played between the BPTD PPK and the contractor. Because to this day, there has been no progress on the construction,’ Unying stated, demanding that the head of BPTD dismiss the PPK and terminate the contract with the winning bidder.

Unying added that the public has long complained about the facilities and infrastructure at Mandalika Terminal, and the delay is detrimental to citizens who need proper transport services. The protesters demanded an immediate evaluation of the project and threatened to bring the issue to the NTB Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) and report it to law enforcement if no action is taken.

Another protester, Lukman, alleged that supporting documents for the tender readiness may have been falsified, pointing to the absence of construction equipment and supporting facilities at the site. ‘This proves that the winning company is not ready, either technically or financially, to handle this project,’ he said, adding that the PPK should have issued a warning letter to the contractor.

Yadi, the PPK for the Mandalika Terminal service building project from BPTD NTB, pledged to accommodate the protesters’ aspirations. He claimed there were no significant obstacles to the work, despite progress having only reached 10 percent. ‘There are no issues. Let us monitor this together. The contract runs until the end of the year, and construction progress is at 10 percent,’ Yadi said. He added that reporting the matter was the public’s right, but his office would continue to follow regulations, aiming to have the building operational by 2027.