Support for Sumbawa Island Province Flows In, NTB Regional Council Urges Protesters Not to Disrupt Public Facilities
Support for the formation of the Sumbawa Island Province (PPS) continues to emerge from various community elements on Lombok Island. The Strategic Advocacy and Policy Analysis Movement (GASAK) of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has declared its support for the struggle to establish this new autonomous region.
The Chairman of GASAK NTB, Ar Yandis, reminded activists that the expression of aspirations should not involve blockading vital public service objects. He emphasised that while GASAK NTB fully supports the people of Sumbawa in their quest for a new province, demonstrations must not interfere with public facilities, such as ports.
“We fully support our brothers in Sumbeway in fighting for the formation of a new province. However, they must not blockade vital economic objects,” he stated following an oration at the entrance of Kayangan Port, East Lombok, on Tuesday afternoon.
Yandis requested that the DPR and DPD provide a forum for dialogue so that the PPS alliance can present their aspirations directly. He clarified that the recent action at Kayangan Port was not intended as a blockade or a counter-protest, but rather as a show of solidarity and a reminder to the PPS alliance to avoid obstructing vehicle access at the port.
Furthermore, he called for transparency from the central government regarding the status of the Sumbawa Island expansion. He also urged the NTB Provincial Government to ensure equitable development between Lombok and Sumbawa islands while awaiting the expansion decision.
In a related development, the Speaker of the NTB Regional Council (DPRD), Baiq Isvie Rupaeda, urged those fighting for the new province to express their aspirations peacefully and without anarchy. She noted that while the right to express opinions is guaranteed by law, it must not disrupt regional stability or public activities.
Isvie stated that the NTB Regional Council has supported the PPS movement from the beginning, but emphasised that the authority for regional expansion lies solely with the central government. She pointed out that the realisation of PPS is currently hindered by the central government’s moratorium on the formation of new autonomous regions across Indonesia.
As a politician from the Golkar Party, Isvie explained that although the aspirations of the Sumbawa people have long been championed, the implementation depends on the Ministry of Home Affairs. She urged the community to allow the central government space to study the requirements for a new province, including fiscal capacity and regional readiness.
Muhammad Aminullah, a member of Commission III of the NTB Regional Council, added that while the community has the right to demand expansion, public services and vital national objects must continue to function normally. He noted that the responsibility now lies with the central government to decide on lifting the moratorium and assessing the fiscal capabilities of the proposed region.