TNI Denies Displacing Elementary School in Ende for 'Red and White' Village Cooperative

TNI Information Centre Head Brigadier General Muhammad Nas has provided clarification regarding widespread reports that the state elementary school SDN Wolomoni in Niowula Village, Detusoko District, Ende, East Nusa Tenggara, was about to be displaced for the construction of a Kopdes Merah Putih Village Cooperative. He denied the reports.

This was conveyed by Muhammad Nas during a media gathering at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Tuesday (9/6/2026). “It turns out, my friends, it is not displacing the school. It is not being placed to replace the school, no. The school, I repeat, the cooperative is being built behind the school. The access road was inadequate, so it passes through the school,” he said.

Subsequently, as heavy machinery manoeuvred, it struck a school pole. The pole was then temporarily shifted to be repaired.

“Indeed, the prior incident occurred when heavy machinery hit a branch of someone’s durian tree, reportedly the size of a big toe, and this woman was angry, shouting. That was clipped, showing the woman being angry with heavy machinery there,” he explained.

According to him, such misinformation is dangerous for the public if they do not seek out and delve into the facts. It could steer public opinion and sow division.

“The damage is enormous, why? Once it enters social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X, and others, its access extends overseas. It can be accessed anywhere. It is dangerous if this situation is exploited by them, by our opponents or even those against us,” he expressed.

Previously, Ende District Police Chief First Inspector Mahmud Deran detailed the initial events leading to reports that SDN Wolomoni was to be displaced for the Kopdes Merah Putih development, which sparked residents’ anger. Mahmud revealed that the site was designated by the village head without confirmation from the school, prompting protests from teachers.

“Indeed, initially the village head designated that spot. The village head did so without confirming with the school,” Mahmud said when contacted. Mahmud stated that although the location is government-owned, it should have been communicated to the school and relevant agencies to avoid polemic. According to him, the Ende Education, Youth and Sports Office had requested the cooperative be built at another location.

“So the government also said no. Do not place it at the school site, but at another location,” he asserted.