Repression at Sape Port, Bima: Eight People Dead

The occupation of Sape port by thousands of residents of Lambu district, Bima regency, West Nusa Tenggara has been repressed and forcibly dispersed by the police. The action, which had continued for five days, was being carried out by local people in opposition to the operations of PT Sumber Mineral Nusantara.

The forced dispersal started in the night and continued into the early morning of Friday 24th December 2011. Information suggests that hundreds of people were wounded as a result of the clash, eight people are dead and ten people have been arrested by the police. Most of the people who were attacked ran away towards the mountain and many are still in hiding.

Call for solidarity with Bima Farmers.

To everyone who has heard about how fed up the people of Bima are, and how tenaciously they reject mining. To everyone who has ears and has received the news of the brutal police attack that forced the people occupying the Sape port to disperse. To all hearts that are still love to live free from domination of the state and capital. To all rebels that are hiding in the darkness. The people of Lambu, Bima, West Nusa Tenggara have shown us an action without compromise, of how they refuse to let their land and livelihood be swapped for mining machinery and dreams of gold. A brave attitude that is not only shown in writings, but has now blossomed and overflowed as a tempest of anger at the sea's edge, in Sape port. Now that bravery has been attacked by the henchmen of those who hold the power and money. They have done this brutally, as is their habit.

We extend our deepest condolences for those that have fallen in the struggle.

(Source: http://barawera.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/8-orang-tewas-dalam-represi-di-pelabuhan-sape/ a blog chronicling the popular struggle against mining companies in Bima. This article was posted the same day as the police attack and we hope that we will be able to update with more information as it emerges. At the time of going to press, mainstream media reports are only confirming three dead.)

A Note about the Mining Company.

PT Sumber Mineral Nusantara is 95% owned by an Australian company called Arc Exploration (www.arcexploration.com.au), based in Chatswood, Sydney. Their gold mining concession in Bima covers some 250 km2, and the same company has another gold project in East Java and is also exploring in West Papua, in a partnership with Anglo American. It is only one of several companies facing mass community resistance in Bima, the other companies are mostly concerned with mining Iron sands from the coast.

Address:
Suite 1502, Level 15
Tower B
799 Pacific Highway
CHATSWOOD NSW 2067
Australia
Telephone : +61 2 9419 8044
Facsimile : +61 2 9419 8099
Email : management@arcexploration.com.au


Jakarta Office :
Komp. Ruko Bidex Block F No. 05
BSD City - Tangerang, 15321
Indonesia
Telephone : +62 21 5316 - 0118
Facsimile : +62 21 5316 - 0119

Managing Director: John Carlile, Company Secretary: Andrew Cooke