Sumbawa Residents Demand New Province Status in Simultaneous Protests on 2 June 2026

Thousands of residents affiliated with the Sumbawa Island Separation Alliance (PPS) plan to hold large-scale protests on 2 June 2026. They are demanding the central government revoke the moratorium on new autonomous regions (DOB) and establish Sumbawa Island as a new province.

“The action will be held simultaneously across five regencies and cities on Sumbawa Island, including West Sumbawa, Sumbawa, Dompu, Bima, and Bima City, this Tuesday,” said Abdussyahir, Chairman of the PPS in Bima City, to detikBali on Sunday (31/5/2026).

Abdussyahir stated that the protest in West Sumbawa will centre at Poto Tano Port, while in Sumbawa it will focus at the airport ring road junction. In Dompu, the demonstration will be held at Banggo Manggelewa branch.

“In Bima Regency, the location is Talabiu branch and Uma Me’e slope (junction in front of Bima Airport), while in Bima City it will be at the Pertamina area,” explained the man commonly known as Ogie.

Ogie outlined several demands to be raised during the simultaneous protests across the five regencies and cities of Sumbawa Island. One key demand is for the central government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), to immediately revoke the DOB moratorium.

Ogie stressed that the PPS did not intend to hold protests, but Kemendagri has yet to visit the Sumbawa Island regions to conduct surveys as promised in 2025. According to Kemendagri’s commitment, the surveys should have taken place in January or March 2026. The PPS also sent a letter to Kemendagri, but received no response. “Since there was no response, we are taking to the streets again to hold the central government to its promises,” Ogie said.

The primary demand is for the creation of a new Sumbawa Province. The PPS believes the island is ready to become a DOB and separate from West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB).

“We want to continue the struggle of the kings, sultans, and leaders of Sumbawa Island who wish to separate from NTB and establish PPS,” Ogie explained.

Ogie assured that the PPS protests will be peaceful, driven solely by Sumbawa Island residents seeking to form their own province due to development disparities and policy discrimination compared to Lombok Island.

“This is a free speech protest. It is a positive movement as we seek to separate from NTB amicably and achieve regional autonomy. There are no other elements involved,” he stated.