MEDIAISTANA.COM — PANGANDARAN — AUGUST 26, 2026 — Allegations of widespread “cablok” mining activities at several locations across Pangandaran Regency, West Java, have once again drawn public attention. Excavation activities allegedly taking place at multiple sites have raised serious questions regarding legality, supervision, environmental impacts, and the effectiveness of law enforcement.

The issue is not merely about the excavation of soil or rock. If mining activities are indeed being carried out without the required permits or in violation of applicable regulations, the matter must be investigated and handled in accordance with the law. President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has previously highlighted the issue of illegal mining and called for law enforcement authorities to investigate such activities. That statement should serve as an alarm for law enforcement agencies, including those operating at the regional level.

In Pangandaran, the public has the right to know whether the mining sites under scrutiny have valid permits, who owns or manages them, how they are supervised, and whether activities in the field comply with the permits that have been issued. Mining operations involving heavy equipment, workers, transport vehicles, and material distribution naturally raise questions about how allegedly illegal activities could continue if effective supervision is being carried out.

Public concern becomes even more serious when allegations emerge regarding possible protection or involvement by certain individuals. However, any allegation involving members of the Indonesian Military or Police must be proven through an official investigation and examination, rather than immediately being treated as an established fact.

If there is no involvement of law enforcement personnel, let the official investigation establish that. If there are indications of violations, investigate them. If evidence proves that individuals within the authorities were involved, process them according to the law. The term “rogue individual” must not become a shield for concealing wrongdoing, but neither should entire institutions be accused without evidence.

The people of Pangandaran deserve straightforward answers: Do these mining operations have valid permits? Are those permits still valid? Do the activities comply with the approved documents? Who owns or manages the operations? Who operates the heavy equipment? Where is the extracted material transported? Have the sites ever been inspected? And what were the results of those inspections?

If the activities are illegal, why are they still operating? If they are legal, why has the legal basis not been transparently explained to the public?

Pangandaran possesses valuable natural resources and significant tourism potential that must be protected. Uncontrolled excavation activities can potentially alter landscapes, damage roads, disrupt drainage systems, change land contours, and create environmental problems. The government must not only calculate the economic value of extracted materials but also the environmental costs and risks ultimately borne by the community.

Therefore, law enforcement authorities must not remain silent.

If reports of illegal mining have been submitted, conduct direct inspections. Examine the locations, permits, operators, heavy equipment, transportation routes, material distribution, and environmental impacts. If criminal elements are found, initiate legal proceedings. If the mining operations are legal, explain the legal basis to the public. If the permits are problematic, take action according to the applicable authority. If the activities are illegal, stop them and enforce the law. If environmental damage has occurred, require restoration.

APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF, AND GOVERNOR OF WEST JAVA

To His Excellency President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Governor of West Java Dedi Mulyadi:

The people are calling for serious attention and firm action regarding the alleged “cablok” mining activities at several locations across Pangandaran Regency, West Java. This issue must not be allowed to continue without legal certainty.

We urge the authorities to conduct a comprehensive inventory and investigation of all mining sites suspected of violating regulations, including their permits, ownership or management, use of heavy equipment, transportation of extracted materials, distribution networks, and environmental and community impacts.

If activities are found to be operating without permits or in violation of applicable regulations, firm action must be taken in accordance with the law. There must be no tolerance for illegal operations and no preferential treatment.

If an investigation uncovers indications of protection, negligence, or assistance from certain individuals, those allegations must be investigated on the basis of evidence and handled by the competent authorities.

There must be no situation in which the law is harsh toward ordinary citizens but weak toward those with power and influence.

The public does not need political drama, empty promises of enforcement, or meetings without results. The people need concrete action. The state must be present through professional inspections, transparent law enforcement, and consistent supervision.

If the operation is legal, explain it. If its permits are problematic, investigate and take action. If it is illegal, stop it and prosecute according to the law. If the environment has been damaged, restore it. If any individuals are proven to have been involved, process them without discrimination.

Pangandaran is not a lawless territory.

Its natural resources do not belong to a handful of people. The law must stand above economic interests, power, positions, and personal networks.

The public is now waiting for concrete action from law enforcement and the government.

Not merely statements.
Not merely meetings.
Not merely publicity.

What the people of Pangandaran need is proof that the law truly works.

INSPECT. VERIFY. INVESTIGATE. IF ILLEGAL, TAKE ACTION. IF LEGAL, EXPLAIN. IF THE ENVIRONMENT IS DAMAGED, RESTORE IT.

If anyone is proven to be behind illegal activities, regardless of who they are or what position they hold, the law must proceed without exception.

PANGANDARAN DESERVES LEGAL CERTAINTY. DO NOT DESTROY PANGANDARAN’S FORESTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF A HANDFUL OF INDIVIDUALS.

RED DAVID E., S.E.