Sakuru Residents Protest as Village NCO Is Transferred
Residents of Sakuru Village, Monta District, Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), blockaded the Tente-Parado Crossroad. The provincial road was closed because residents objected to the transfer of Sakuru Village non-commissioned officer (Babinsa), Serka Sulaiman.
Photos and videos circulating on Facebook showed residents blocking the provincial road with bamboo poles laid across it. Several motorbikes were also parked in the middle of the road, briefly disrupting traffic.
“The blockade took place this morning,” Wahidin, 40, a Sakuru resident, told detikBali on Sunday (18 October 2026).
Wahidin said the road closure was a protest by residents who had heard that Serka Sulaiman would be transferred to a new posting.
According to Wahidin, most Sakuru residents opposed Serka Sulaiman’s transfer because he was widely regarded as a good person.
He added that since Sulaiman became the village’s Babinsa, Sakuru had become safer and crime had been reduced.
“Since Serka Sulaiman arrived, juvenile delinquency and drug circulation have both declined. He has been very firm in his work as Babinsa Sakuru, particularly in guiding young people,” Wahidin said.
“That is why residents are unwilling to see him moved elsewhere. He is the best Babinsa and is loved by the people of Sakuru,” Wahidin added.
Village head responds
Sakuru Village Head M Suharto confirmed that the road had been closed. He said the blockade in front of the Sakuru Village Office lasted only a short time.
“The road was closed for only a little while this morning. It has now reopened and vehicles are passing through,” Suharto said.
Suharto urged residents to respect the institution’s decision to transfer Serka Sulaiman. He said a road blockade was not a solution and instead inconvenienced other road users.
“We hope there will be no further road closures after this,” Suharto said.
Babinsa transfer to proceed
The residents’ protest, which culminated in a road blockade, has not stopped Serka Sulaiman’s transfer. He will move to a new unit, the XXX/Rinambora Military Regional Command (Kodam).
“That is correct,” said Bima Military District Commander Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Asdianto Limbongan, when contacted by detikBali on Sunday (18 October 2026).
Samuel said Serka Sulaiman was one of 17 personnel from Bima Military District Command 1608 who were being transferred to the new regional command established in NTB.
“There are 17 personnel in total, including Serka Sulaiman. They were all sent off from Bima Military District Command today and are heading to Kodam Rinambora, which is based in Mataram,” Samuel said.
Samuel stressed that the personnel transfers were an organisational requirement and an official order to support duties within Kodam XXX/Rinambora.
“Indonesian soldiers remain committed to the Sapta Marga and the Soldier’s Oath,” Samuel said.
Samuel expressed his thanks, appreciation and respect for the dedication, loyalty and service of the 17 soldiers during their time at Bima Military District Command 1608. He said their experience in Bima was expected to serve them well in their new unit.
“We ask the soldiers to continue carrying out their duties wholeheartedly and always protect the good name of the unit,” Samuel said.
Samuel also advised the personnel to explain to their families that the transfer was part of their duties and service as Indonesian soldiers.