Sarbin Sehe Highlights That Nickel's Brilliance Has Yet to Shine on North Maluku Communities

Ternate, MI - The massive scale of investment flowing into North Maluku has not yet been directly proportional to the welfare of its people. Amidst the surge in mining downstreaming industries driving regional economic growth, the issues of poverty and weak local community involvement remain significant challenges.

This situation was openly highlighted by the Deputy Governor of North Maluku, Sarbin Sehe, during a Talkshow and Business Matching event for the Dissemination of National Business Partnership Policies, organised by the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM in Ternate on Tuesday (1/9/2026).

The forum, which brought together large-scale business actors with approximately 160 MSMEs from across North Maluku, served as a vital space to test the extent to which large investments entering the province can create real economic effects for the local population.

Sarbin acknowledged that North Maluku is currently in the midst of a massive investment wave. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) realisation continues to show positive performance, supported by a conducive security and order situation. However, for Sarability, investment figures and economic growth should not be the sole measures of developmental success.

The presence of large industrial estates, such as PT Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) in Central Halmahera and PT Harita on Obi Island, must provide broader benefits to the surrounding communities. “The brilliance of nickel has not yet been able to provide brilliance to the lower class. We are proud that large industrial estates are transforming the region, but poverty persists. While investors flourish, the community must also receive their constitutional rights fairly,” Sarbin asserted.

This statement serves as a critical critique amidst the massive expansion of the mining and downstreaming industries in North Maluku. High economic growth lacks strategic meaning if local communities remain mere spectators to capital circulation worth tens of trillions of rupiah.

Consequently, Sarbin urged that the investment development pattern in North Maluku should not rely solely on the mining sector. He argued that the fisheries, marine, agriculture, and livestock sectors must be positioned as strategic sectors to build the community economy while simultaneously supplying the needs of the rapidly growing industries.

Ironically, the food requirements for industrial estates in North Maluku are still largely sourced from outside the region, such as Sulawesi and Java. For Sarbin, this indicates a vast untapped opportunity for local entrepreneurs. If the supply chain can be built within North Maluku, industries will not only serve as engines for macro-economic growth but also as a massive market for local farmers, fishermen, livestock breeders, cooperatives, and MSMEs.

“Local entrepreneurs must not just be spectators. There must be space for them to enter and take part in the industrial economic chain,” was the primary message emphasised during the forum.

Rp40.2 Trillion Investment, Benefits Must Be Felt

Data from the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKSB shows the massive influx of capital into North Maluku. In the second quarter of 2026, investment realisation in North Maluku reached Rp40.2 trillion, placing the province among the regions with highly significant national investment performance.

However, the magnitude of this investment brings demands for the government and industrial players to ensure that economic benefits are not concentrated solely within industrial estates. Noor Sona Maesana Mushonnif, Special Staff for Downstreaming Acceleration and National Entrepreneurship Enhancement at the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM, stated that North Maluku was chosen as the first province outside Java for this partnership activity.

According to her, this step is part of the central government’s effort to ensure local entrepreneurs find space within the investment ecosystem. “Successful investment is investment that grows alongside the region where it operates. Local entrepreneurs must not just watch; they must be key players,” said Noor Sona.

She revealed that from a target partnership commitment of 34 large businesses in North Maluku worth Rp7.8 trillion, approximately Rp3.5 trillion has been realised for the 2021-2026 period. This figure indicates a massive opportunity that can be expanded for local entrepreneurs, ranging from catering, construction, and transport to the provision of spare parts, personal protective equipment (PPE), and logistics.

However, the central government reminded that the success of partnership programmes should not be measured solely by the number of forums or memorandums of understanding. “The most important thing following this is the issuance of Purchase Orders (PO) and sustainable cooperation,” Noor Sona emphasised.

Provincial Government Promises No Transactions Behind Investments

On the other hand, Sarbin ensured that the North Maluku Provincial Government will continue to promote transparent and accountable investment governance. He emphasised that the regional bureaucracy must provide certainty for investors while ensuring that community interests remain protected.

Sarbin also requested that business actors be transparent in reporting the use of regional resources, including the use of surface water and heavy machinery. He noted that corporate compliance in fulfilling these obligations is essential to increasing Regional Original Income (PAD).

Furthermore, he requested that the business matching forum produce concrete agreements in the form of MoUs, Cooperation Agreements (PKS), or business transactions that can be genuinely felt by local entrepreneurs. In this way, the partnership between large industries and MSMEs will not end as a ceremonial agenda but will serve as an entry point for local entrepreneurs to scale up.

Do Not Let North Maluku Be Resource-Rich While the People Remain Spectators

The massive scale of investment in North Maluku presents both opportunities and challenges. The region possesses vast nickel and mineral resources, steadily developing industrial estates, and investment values reaching tens of trillions of rupiah. However, the entirety of…