Suspected Illegal Quarrying, Land Excavation in Temukus Halted by Satpol PP

The Buleleng Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) halted land excavation activities suspected of being an illegal C-class quarry in Banjar Dinas Bingin Banjah, Temukus Village, Banjar District, on Wednesday (5/8/2026). The cessation was ordered after a joint team discovered that extracted material was being transported away from the site.

Head of Buleleng Satpol PP, Komang Kappa Tri Aryandono, stated that the inspection was conducted together with the Environmental Agency (DLH), the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP), the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Agency (DPUPRPKP), Banjar District officials, and the Temukus Village Government. Prior to the field visit, the joint team held a coordination meeting at the Temukus Village Head’s Office.

"The inspection results show that the location is freehold land. The owner stated that the excavation was carried out so that the land, which was previously dominated by rocks and sandstone, could be levelled and used for farming," Kappa said when confirmed on Wednesday (5/8/2026).

According to Kappa, the landowner claimed the excavation was carried out by a third party and was not intended to profit from the extracted material. The owner merely wanted to make the land more productive for agriculture.

However, the joint team’s examination revealed that Temukus Village is not designated as a mining area. Consequently, the activity of extracting and removing material from the site was deemed to constitute mining activity inconsistent with the area’s zoning.

"On that basis, we have ordered all excavation and material extraction activities to cease," Kappa asserted.

Based on data collected, the excavated land covers an area of approximately 4,440 square metres and consists of two freehold plots, one measuring 2,720 square metres and the other 1,720 square metres. The excavation activity had been ongoing for about a year.

Kappa explained that the joint team is still allowing the landowner 30 days to level the land as agreed. However, the excavated material must not be sold or removed from the site.

"The excavated material must not be traded or taken off-site. If that occurs, the activity can be categorised as illegal mining," he concluded.