Newsletter Voicing for Life Desember 2019 - English Version

Newsletter Voicing for Life1
Newsletter
Voicing for Life
The Civil Society Alliance:
"The RPJMD of Central
Java Province Must Be
Inclusive, Fair and Sustain-
able"
Zainal Arifin
“Letter of Super Soko Se-
mar (SUPERSEMAR)” KLHS
Orders President, Must Be
Done !!!
Page 2
Page 9
Page 13
Page 5
Page 15
Page 7
Liputan Media
These Kartini from Cen-
tral Java Will Continue to
Speak Out for the Sustaina-
bility of the Earth
Kendeng Community
Recites Al-Quran for the
Mother Nature
Andri Prasetiyo
Liputan Media
JMPPK Builds Command
Post to Monitor Kendeng
Mountain Mining Violations
“Letter of Super Soko Semar (SUPERSEMAR)”
KLHS Orders President, Must Be Done !!!
Community Training on
Policy Advocacy and Kend-
eng Women Gathering
Andri Prasetiyo
Series December 2019

2Newsletter Voicing for Life
The Civil Society Alliance: "The RPJMD of
Central Java Province Must Be Inclusive,
Fair and Sustainable"
Semarang - Currently the Special Committee (Pan-
sus) for the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) of
the Central Java Provincial Medium-Term Devel-
opment Plan (RPJMD) 2018 - 2023 is discussing
intensely the regional development planning pol-
icy document for a period of 5 (five) years which
contains the elaboration of the vision, mission
and programs of the elected Governor of Central
Java, Ganjar Pranowo, which has been synchro-
nized with the technocratic design that has been
compiled by the Regional Development Planning,
Research and Development Agency (Bappeda) of
Central Java Province. The Special Committee tar-
gets that in the near future the Raperda RPJMD
will soon be passed into a Perda as the legal pro-
tection for implementing programs and activities
of the Central Java Provincial Government (Pem-
prov) for the next 5 (five) years.
Remind the strategic importance of the RPJMD, a
number of elements of civil society who are mem-
bers of the Civil Society Alliance for Spatial Plan-
ning and Development in Central Java convey a
number of ideas as input for the special commit-
tee and at the same time urge that the RPJMD of
Central Java Province be truly inclusive, fair and
sustainable.
By: Zainal Arifin

These points of thought are the result of reading
and analysis by civil society on the latest pub-
lished draft RPJMD and based on conditions and
realities in society. The findings of the civil society
alliance show that the current draft RPJMD has not
answered a number of main issues that should be
the priority of the government in the future.
Gunretno, Coordinator of the Kendeng Mountains
Caring Community Network (JMPPK), revealed
that the draft RPJMD, when contextualized with
the Kendeng Mountains area, is not in line with
the Strategic Environmental Assessment (KLHS)
regarding the Policy for Sustainable Use and Man-
agement of the Kendeng Mountains. KLHS Phase
II, for example, has recommended that the areas
of Juwana, Jepara, Kudus, Pati, Rembang and Blo-
ra (Wanarakuti), which initially relied on the mining
sector, should be transformed into areas orient-
ed towards superior cultivation and conservation
sectors, which rely on the restoration of areas that
have already experienced damage, to restore the
function of recharge or water infiltration in the
Kendeng Mountains area.
"However, in the Draft RPJMD the direction of de-
velopment in the Rembang and Blora (Banglor)
regions relies on the main leading sectors of min-
ing and agroforestry (forest product processing)
which are supported by an integrated tourism sec-
tor (nature and culture)." Gunretno explained.
Gunretno urged the special committee to real-
ly accommodate the recommendations of KLHS I
and II, so that efforts to restore the function of wa-
ter recharge / absorption can really be achieved.
"It is fitting for the government to care about the
preservation of the Kendeng Mountains, immedi-
ately implement the results of the KLHS recom-
mendations, including by pouring them into the
Central Java development plan." Gunretno said.
Zaenal Arifin, Director of the Legal Aid Institute
(LBH) Semarang, said that the Central Java RPJMD
should at least include a program to form a moni-
toring, supervision and control space team to carry
out litigation and / or non-litigation actions to ad-
dress illegal businesses in the mining and forestry
sector; pouring out an effort to review and evalu-
ate mining activities in Central Java, including car-
rying out closings if existing mining activities are
not in accordance with the carrying capacity and
carrying capacity of the environment; and making
the Principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent
(FPIC) or the free, prior and informed consent of
development programs as one of the main princi-
ples in development planning.
Zaenal reminds the government not to be trapped
in pursuing economic growth and to only focus
on infrastructure development alone which ig-
nores the carrying capacity of the environment.
It must focus on policies that promote sustaina-
bility, including water resources, which have sig-
nificance for social life and economic activities of
the community (especially the agricultural sector).
"Economic growth is rising, but for whom? Do not
let economic growth only be enjoyed by a handful

of people, and instead widen inequality and slow-
ly kill farmers, fishermen and other marginalized
communities, "explained Zaenal.
On the other hand, the development of Central
Java must prioritize the improvement of good
governance. Transparency supported by the pro-
vision of disaggregated data as well as data that
is always updated so that development orienta-
tion and policies become quality because they are
based on detailed, valid and measurable data. Of
course, this data must be easily accessible to the
public, which is in line with the spirit of Law No.
14/2018 on Freedom of Information (UU KIP). Gov-
ernment accountability must also be reflected in
efforts to provide public services in line with the
mandate of Law Number 25 of 2009 concerning
Public Services.
Dian Puspitasari, Director of LRC-KJHAM, re-
minded that the Central Java Provincial RPJMD
includes a program to improve access and qual-
ity of protection for women and children through
prevention efforts against violence against women
and children; reducing the risk of violence against
women and children; and providing integrated ser-
vices for victims of violence according to stand-
ards and integrated with basic services, social
protection programs, poverty reduction programs
and the application of policies in schools.
"Of course, regional budgets that are gender re-
sponsive and responsive to marginalized commu-
nities, including people with disabilities, must be a
priority for the development of Central Java Prov-
ince for the next 5 (five) years." concluded Dian.
In addition, a number of issues related to improv-
ing the transportation system, protecting fisher-
women, improving the system for procuring goods
and services, and regional fiscal policies have not
escaped the attention of the Central Java civil so-
ciety alliance.

Community Training on Policy Advocacy
and Kendeng Women Gathering
For decades, Kendeng’s heroine have been in-
volved in various activities to preserve Kendeng
Mountain. Their aspiration has been voiced, in-
cluding during the meeting with the government.
However, women’s involvement still needs to be
improved, especially in the aspect of development
planning, so that they are significantly empow-
ered. Moreover, Central Java Province is now in
the crucial phase after the revision of the 2009-
2029 Regional Spatial Planning (RTRW) and 2018-
2023 Mid-term Development Plan.
For this reason, PWYP Indonesia with LBH Sema-
rang conducted the “Training for Policy Advocacy
and Kendeng Women Gathering”, attended by rep-
resentatives from Pati, Grobogan, and Kendeng.
Present as the facilitator is Tenti Novari Kurniawati,
Executive Director of Perkumpulan Idea Yogyakar-
ta, who is well-known for her work on gender and
public policy participation.
In the beginning, participants were invited to re-
flect on how the division of roles between women
and man in the domestic and public domains. Tu-
tik, who works as a farmer, recounted the results
of her small group discussion regarding the divi-
sion of work between wife and husband, both at
home and in the fields. “When in the fields, wife
and husband work together, but when at home,
women do more activities such as cooking and
washing,” said Tutik.
While Deni from Grobogan, stressed a tendency
on more equal division of labour between wives
and husbands in the young families. In the domes-
tic sphere, husbands help a lot with homework,
and in the productive domain, men and women
work together. However, in the public domain,
man is highly more involved, especially in the deci-
sion-making process. Man also dominated citizen
meeting forums.
By:Andri Prasetiyo

Unsurprisingly, the decision resulted from devel-
opment planning meeting (Musrembang) is not
gendered responsive. According to one of the
participants who had participated in Musrembang,
the proposals were more on the infrastructure de-
velopment. In fact, on the other hand, women have
their own needs and aspirations.
Umi, one of the participants from Kendal/Demak
who has participated in Musrembang, said that
in her village, women succeeded to propose the
development of disabled friendly areas, as well
as health services that were friendly to the vic-
tims of sexual violence. The community there
also demanded the government to promote gen-
der-friendly development.
Tenti shared the flow of planning and develop-
ment process where women as a citizen could be
involved. Musrembang starts in the sub-village
level to village, sub-district, and district level. “As
citizens, women have the right to be involved in
the decision-making process, so that women’s as-
pirations are raised, and the program will accom-
modate women needs,” explained Tenti.
Tenti also explained the budget and development
cycle, which occurred every year. Musrembang at
sub-village level takes place in July-August, Mus-
rembang at village level takes place in Septem-
ber, then Musrenbang at sub-district and district
level take place in February and March respec-
tively. While discussion on General Budget Policy
and Priorities of Temporary Budget Ceiling held in
May-June, and last, Discussion on the draft of Lo-
cal Budget Plan and the Local Budget each takes
place in July-August and in September-October.
“By knowing the time cycle, women groups can
prepare and organise themselves to be involved in
the development planning process,” added Tenti.
Besides understanding the development planning
cycle, participants were also invited to understand
and analyse the Local Budget of Central Java
Province. In particular, participant analysed the
community empowering and women empower-
ment budget, also budget for Energy and Mineral
Resource Agency at the province.
“One of our findings is the absence of budget al-
located to implement the Strategic Environmental
Assessment program in the budget of Energy and
Mineral Resource Agency. Also, North Kendeng is
in fact not included in the program of MEMR and
Environmental Agency,” said Deni.
At the end of the training, participants who come
from various regions in Central Java delivered
their action plan. Participants from Kendeng will
share their knowledge obtained from the train-
ing to the community, and share about the spa-
tial planning and development to other residents,
as well as give an update on the revision of local
regulation about spatial planning. In Pati Regency,
participants plant to push for the implementation
of Strategic Environmental Assessment in Pati Re-
gency.

Whereas in Rembang, participants will demand
to hold a case for the arson of mushala (prayer
house) and tent of struggle to Rembang Police Re-
sort. In Tuban, the participants will advocate three
(3) criminalised citizens, as well as revive the com-
munity learning activities. In Kendal, participants
will empower the community after the criminalisa-
tion case.
Also, participants from Demak will continue their
fight in pushing to the recognition of fishers wom-
en, and carry out socialisation to the community to
use environmental-friendly fishing gear..
Kendeng Community Recites Al-Quran for the
Mother Nature
In the mid of Ramadhan this year, people of Kend-
eng which incorporated in the Community Net-
work Saving the Kendeng Mountain (JMPPK) met
and consolidated while doing sahur together in Yu
Patmi Langgar (small mosque), located in Tambak
Romo, Pati, West Java Province.
This occasion became a momentum for the com-
munity around Kendeng Mountain to share the
current condition of their area. The community
re-strengthened the movement, which had weak-
ened in several regions, to focus on guarding the
implementation of the Strategic Environmental
By: Andri Prasetiyo

Studies, Spatial Plan, and Regional Mid-Term De-
velopment Plan, as well as formulating further joint
actions.
Ustadz Ubaidillah Ahmad, who attended the event,
reminded the human obligation in preserving the
balance of nature. “The command to maintain the
balance of nature is already stated in the Quran.
Humans have a holy relationship with the envi-
ronment or known as wahdatul wujud, so humans
must live in harmony with nature,” said him.
“Our ancestors used to say, don’t cut down trees,
then the tree’s owner got berserk,” said Ustadz
Ubaidillah. “Who says nature didn’t get angry. By
cutting down trees, oxygen decreases while living
things need oxygen. Trees absorb water, and wa-
ter is much more valuable than gold. Humans can-
not live without water, so we must protect water
and the environment,” added him.
Maryati Abdullah, the National Coordinator of
PWYP Indonesia, explained that Kendeng area
stores 62% of the water in Java Island. Unsurpris-
ingly, the Kendeng Mountains region have huge
resource in the agriculture, so sustainability needs
to be maintained.
“People has powers to determine their leader as
well as involve in the public policymaking pro-
cess that impacted their living space. On the oth-
er hand, leaders need to be fair and listen to the
needs of the people,” added her.
Maryati also reminded the community to continu-
ously monitor the implementation of the Strategic
Environmental Studies, Spatial Plan, and Region-
al Mid-Term Development Plan, also oversee the
determination of Watu Putih Groundwater Basin
(CAT) as a protected area. “Development is impor-
tant. But what we need is a sustainable develop-
ment, which put into account the carrying capacity
and environment capacity,” Mary concluded.
Dr Laksanto Utomo, Chair of the Indigenous Law
Lecture Associations (APHA) who also spoke at
the event, emphasized that the community has
rights to question the policy. Laksanto reminded
the statement of Mbah Tarno—the elder of Sedu-
lur Sikep, which is “yen Pulau Jawa kuwi wetenge
diodol-odo, ya rusak sak menungsane.” Means, if
the underground material in Java Island continu-
ously being extracted, then the earth and its peo-
ple are destroyed. According to Laksanto, the fight
of the Kendeng Community against mining activi-
ties is an effort to preserve the environment, save
food sources for future generations.
In the closing, Zainal Arifin, Director of the LBH
Semarang, shared the latest update of the litiga-
tion efforts to reject the cement plant in the Kend-
eng Mountains region. Besides attended by the
community who lived around Yu Patmi Langgar in
Tambak Romo, the community from other areas
such as Surokonto, Kendal Regency also partici-
pated.

“Letter of Super Soko Semar (SUPERSEMAR)”
KLHS Orders President, Must Be Done !!!
Pangkur
Ngelikke kanthi tan samar
Dhawuhe Presiden kita Jokowi
Mring jengandinka Gubernur
Kang kapurih nindakna
KLHS ingkang wus rampung kasusun
Mrih lestarining lingkungan
Sumber pangan tumrap sami
Wearepeoplewholivearoundthekarstlandscapeof
the Kendeng Mountains, which within the adminis-
trative boundaries of Central Java Province include
Pati, Rembang, Grobogan, and Blora Regencies.
Whereas based on its function and area, the Kend-
eng Mountains are an inseparable unit by adminis-
trative boundaries.

If there is a critical condition in the form of a real
threat to the function and environmental area of
the Kendeng Mountains in one or several places,
this will also have an impact on the function sys-
tem and the Kendeng Mountains area in one unit.
SUPERSEMAR dated March 11 2019 means “Super
Soko Semar Letter” to the Provincial Government
(Pemprov) of Central Java.
SUPERSEMAR is different from SUPERSEMAR
in 1966 era whose clarity is still mysterious. SU-
PERSEMAR we mean is a reminder letter to the
Central Java Provincial Government to immediate-
ly implement the results of the Kendeng Strategic
Environmental Assessment (KLHS) recommen-
dation which was clearly instructed by President
Joko Widodo on August 2, 2016 ago. The Presi-
dent of the Republic of Indonesia has ordered the
implementation of a Strategic Environmental As-
sessment (KLHS), as regulated in:
1. PANCASILA, precepts 5,
2. Article 33 paragraphs 3 and 4 of the 1945
Constitution,
3. Article 1 of Law number 32 of 2009 con-
cerning Protection and Management of
the Environment in conjunction with Gov-
ernment Regulation Number 46 of 2016
concerning Procedures for Implementing
Strategic Environmental Studies.
Whereas gradually, the KLHS of the Sustainable
Kendeng Mountains has been completed, namely
stage I in April 2017, and stage II in December 2017
by a team formed by the Ministry of Environment
and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, and a
team of testing and quality assurance, documen-
tation, and validation formed by the KSP Presiden-
tial Staff Office.
Whereas in the result, the KLHS for the Sustain-
able Kendeng Mountains provided recommenda-
tions for improving the Program Plan Policy (KRP)
(attached).
The points of agreement when JM-PPK met with
President Joko Widodo were:
1. It is necessary to immediately make an
analysis of the carrying capacity and ca-
pacity of the Kendeng Mountains through
KLHS.
2. The implementation of KLHS will be co-
ordinated by KSP (Chief of Presidential
Staff) considering that the Kendeng prob-
lem is cross-ministerial and cross-region-
al.
3. In the implementation of KLHS, the Min-
istry of Environment and Forestry is the
Chair of the Steering Committee.
4. During the KLHS process which will be
carried out for 1 year, all permits are ter-
minated.
5. The government guarantees a healthy
multi-stakeholder dialogue / deliberation
process during the SEA process.
KLHS which is ordered by the President on the ba-
sis of the Republic of Indonesia must be OBEYED
and CARRIED OUT. Because this concerns the

future fate of this nation’s children and grandchil-
dren. Until now, JM-PPK’s former members are still
committed to fighting for the preservation of NAT-
URAL RESOURCES which are continuously being
destroyed. The issue of natural resource conflicts
in this country should not be ignored.
The presence of Semar’s figure as the PAMOMONG
of the respected kings of Java. Because he always
gives wise advice. In order to listen to the voice
of the LITTLE PEOPLE he leads so that the people
will prosper and prosper. Thus it is very important
that SEMAR is present to remind the GOVERNOR
as the LEADER of Central Java to really carry out
clear orders to protect the environment and not to
issue mining permits anymore by referring to the
results of KLHS.
The results of the KLHS Phase One and Stage Two
that have been completed are as follows:
First Stage Recommendations
Decided that CAT Watuputih Rembang Regen-
cy meets the criteria to be designated as a Karst
Landscape Area (KBAK) as a Geological Protected
Area. In addition, limestone mining in the Watupu-
tih CAT area is estimated to cause high economic
costs / losses of at least 3.2 trillion per year from
environmental services.
KLHS phase I has recommended that CAT Watu-
putih Rembang Regency and its surroundings be
designated as a protected area and the process
of determining the KBAK is carried out; revise the
RTRWK KRP, Central Java RTRWP to the RTRWN.
Second Stage Recommendations
The improvement of the KRP, where the results of
the study show that the Kendeng Mountains eco-
system is now at a critical point that can threat-
en its sustainability. The results of the study also
show that the policies and steps taken by the
Government as well as the Provincial and District
Governments are not effective enough to control
or cope with the deteriorating carrying capacity
of the environment. Therefore, it is deemed im-
portant to take immediate, concrete, well-planned
and systematic steps to prevent further deteriora-
tion of the Kendeng Mountains ecosystem.
General Recommendations:
●● Changing the policies contained in the National
RTR, which originally designated the Juwana,
Jepara, Kudus, Pati, Rembang and Blora areas
in Central Java, as Wanarakuti Mainstay Areas
with leading sectors including mining; become
a Wanarakuti Mainstay Area with an orientation
to the leading sectors of cultivation and con-
servation.
●● Changing the policy orientation for the Kend-
eng Utara Mountains area in Grobogan, Blora,
Rembang, Pati and Kudus Districts; which was
originally directed as an area designated for
mining (as contained in the RTRW of Central
Java Province Article 80); this is not in accord-
ance with the carrying capacity and capac-
ity of the environment at Kendeng Area. The
existence of mining activities does not make
the economy sustainable, it will be more eco-

nomical in the Kendeng area. Its allotment is
emphasized on the sustainable agriculture and
tourism sectors so that it will remain sustain-
able until the next generation of children and
grandchildren.
●● SKPD can no longer decide policies and pro-
grams and activities individually, even though
they are already in accordance with their main
duties and functions, but need to pay atten-
tion to the impact on the achievements of oth-
er SKPD. Now Bappenas and other Ministries
/ Agencies are preparing a Presidential Regu-
lation which can serve as a reference for the
integration mechanism of the three develop-
ment targets. (economic growth, controlling
environmental damage and pollution, as well
as preventing the increase of the poor).
●● Immediately integrate the results of KLHS
Kendeng Mountains Phase I and II into the
RTRW KRP.
●● Controlling and / or implementing a moratorium
on the granting of permits, law enforcement for
illegal natural resource extraction (for example,
illegal mining of limestone, illegal extraction of
deep ground water, or illegal exploitation of
springs).
●● It is recommended that a special team should
be formed which apart from moving to moni-
tor and supervise spatial control, also moves
to tackle illegal businesses in mining and for-
estry. This dedicated team carries out legal
(litigation) and / or non-litigation actions, using
a multi-doors approach. These programs and
activities should be included in the RPJMD of
each province and district.
●● It is recommended that a system that can
manage licensing information (such as an on-
line system) is recommended, including open-
ing this system to the general public (public) in
accordance with Law No. 14 of 2008 on Open-
ness of Public Information.
●● Given that repairing and restoring the Kendeng
Mountains ecosystem is basically not just a
technical problem; then socio-cultural factors
such as social values, norms, traditions, social
structure factors, and even local knowledge
are important factors that must be considered
and become guidelines, as well as orientation
for environmental rehabilitation of the Kend-
eng Mountains.

JMPPK Builds Command Post to Monitor
Kendeng Mountain Mining Violations
Media Coverage
The Kendeng Mountains Care Community Net-
work (JMPPK) built a monitoring post for monitor-
ing violations of the Watuputih groundwater basin
(CAT) mining in the North Kendeng Mountains,
Rembang, Central Java, Monday (24/6/2019).
A number of residents who are members of the
JMPPK wear clothes in the style of the Punoka-
wan puppet characters. During the process of es-
tablishing the post, a number of security officers
monitored the residents.
JMPPK activist, Ngatiban said, this post was built
on the PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Produc-
tion Operation Mining Business License (IUP-OP)
area in Rembang. “This is because this company
actually does mining using heavy equipment and
explosives. Based on the Kendeng Strategic Envi-
ronmental Study, mining is prohibited in the Wapu-
tutih CAT area,” he said in a release to Tirto, Mon-
day (24/6/2019).
This prohibition, he said, should have prevented
PT Semen Indonesia from mining at CAT Watupu-
tih, so that it would continue to source raw materi-
als from Tuban Regency, East Java. KLHS Kendeng
Phase I was made by the Ministry of Environment
Photo/ JMPPK By: Zakki Amali

and Forestry (KLHK) together with the Presidential
Staff Office (KSP) in 2017. CAT Watuputih is cate-
gorized as a protected area, according to the cri-
teria set by the National Spatial Plan (RTRW). CAT
Watuputih is recommended as a Karst Landscape
Area (KBAK). “The Central Java Provincial Govern-
ment and the Rembang Regency Government are
asked to propose to the Ministry of Energy and
Mineral Resources to designate a KBAK area, until
now there have been no signs of this,” he said.
Ngatiban also said that the mining activities car-
ried out by PT Semen Indonesia made the agricul-
tural area there always covered with dust, so that
land productivity decreased drastically.
“The drought has forced us to deepen our wells
because water is increasingly difficult to find,” he
said. Meanwhile, the embung made by Semen In-
donesia was only used as a death picker, accord-
ing to him, which resulted in 4 people dying from
drowning.
“This post is also a replacement for the battle tent
that we built before, but it was ruthlessly dam-
aged and burned, which until now the perpetrator
has not been arrested by the Rembang Police,” he
added. It is known that the tents made by JMPPK
were established on June 16, 2014. However, on
February 10, 2017 at around 19.30, the tents were
destroyed and burned about 70 people. Until now
the perpetrator has not been arrested, the police
admit that it is difficult to obtain evidence.
Source: https://tirto.id/jmppk-ban-
gun-posko-pantau-pelanggaran-tambang-pe-
gunungan-kendeng-ecXD

Media Coverage
These Kartini from Central Java Will
Continue to Speak Out for the Sustainability
of the Earth
●● Women from various regions in Central Java,
came to the Office of the Governor of Cen-
tral Java in Semarang, on Kartini Day, April
21, to voice the various environmental and
social problems they experienced.
●● There are voices about cement mining in the
karst of the Kendeng Mountains, both large
companies and illegal mining. Some have
complained about the presence of coal-
fired power plants which have caused many
problems for them and others.
●● Data from the Kendeng Mountains Caring
Community Network and Mining Advocacy
Network, 2017-March 2018, there are 120
new mining business licenses in Central
Java, including in the Kendeng Mountains.
The new licenses are in Rembang (87),
Grobogan (13), Blora (11), and Pati (9).
●● Walhi Central Java, also touched on the
Central Java Government’s plan, revising
the RTRW and instead allocating it for min-
ing and infrastructure development such as
a new coal PLTU.
The fertility of farmers’ crops in Kendeng, refuting the government’s and company state-
ments that Kendeng is dry and infertile. Photo: Tommy Apriando/Mongabay Indonesia

At that dawn, Gunarti, a woman from Sedulur
Sikep, wore a black kebaya and a long scarf. He
rushed to the city of Semarang, Central Java, to
meet other women fighting for the environment in
front of the Central Java Governor’s Office. On that
day, April 21, 2019, to coincide with Kartini Day,
she and three women fighting for the environment
from Batang wanted to voice the protection and
preservation of the earth.
Gunarti said the struggle of Kendeng farmers to
protect the earth was not limited to fighting large
cement factories. Small and illegal mining in the
Kendeng mountains, they also opposed and re-
fused. At present, even small mining is illegal in
Kendeng, as if it is being ignored by the author-
ities. Gunarti was surprised that the police were
helpless to arrest the miners and even drivers of
illegal mining trucks. “Is this on purpose or some-
thing?” Gunarti said.
In addition, she said, the local government is sell-
ing out mining permits, threatening to kill farmers.
“If you forget mother earth, remember your chil-
dren and grandchildren. Remember the warriors
guard the homeland when the invaders seized
them. Freedom to be guarded, cared for and plant-
ed for life. In fact, they are on sale to be destroyed,
“he said.
Data from the Kendeng Mountains Caring Com-
munity Network and Mining Advocacy Network,
2017-March 2018, there are 120 new mining busi-
ness licenses in Central Java, including in the
Kendeng Mountains. The new licenses are in Rem-
bang (87), Grobogan (13), Blora (11), and Pati (9).
Kendeng farmers, he said, always learn and con-
tinue the struggle of Ibu Kartini. Maintaining na-
ture and still using it, he said, by taking a suffi-
cient amount, then bequeath it to the children and
grandchildren, not spending it immediately. “If the
government doesn’t think about peasants and
homeland, what was independence for?”
The government, he said, made the rules but they
violated it themselves. For example, a cement fac-
tory in Rembang, the Supreme Court ruling that
the environmental permit was revoked, but the
company continued with the technique of making
new permits.
“Farmers’ land was built by factories and mined
day and night. Not only farmers, officials, animals
and all affected. Bald mountains, flooded rice
fields. Farmers do not need mines, farming is suf-
ficient and peaceful,” said Gunartii.

The Kartini of Central Java, cut the tumpeng from their agriculture, a form of gratitude for the gift from
the mother of the earth. Photo: Tommy Apriando / Mongabay Indonesia
Another Kendeng farmer, Sukinah and other karti-
ni from Tegaldowo Village and Timbrangan Village,
Gunem District, Rembang, also performed the
gumbrengan ritual. It is a ritual of thanking farmers
for livestock that helps the farming process. The
close inner relationship between humans and the
earth and other creatures is always maintained in
the Kendeng community.
“The preservation of culture and nature cannot be
separated. Without a sustainable nature and with-
out a noble culture that is continuously preserved,
human civilization will be destroyed,” said Sukinah.
Two years ago, the recommendation of the ex-
pert team of Strategic Environmental Studies for
the Kendeng Mountains, in the Watuputih Rem-
bang Groundwater Basin (CAT), came out. KLHS
Kendeng covers the area of two provinces, name-
ly, East Java (Lamongan, Bojonegoro, Tuban) and
Central Java (Rembang, Blora, Grobogan and Pati
Regencies. KLHS, she said, was an order of Presi-
dent Joko Widodo, the fruit of a long struggle and
needs great energy and answers to the head of
state.
“Kendeng farmers have high hopes for the govern-
ment to seriously pay attention to the future of the
Kendeng Mountains, the future of their children
and grandchildren and the future of the country.
The preservation of Kendeng is absolutely neces-
sary and protected.”
Sukinah continues to study. She tried to explore
how the karts were so rich. Inside there are thou-
sands of springs as a source of life. It is also rich
in noble cultural sites, and biodiversity, so it must
be preserved for the sake of balancing the eco-
system.

“Without a balanced ecosystem, an ecological dis-
aster is in sight. The people are the first to bear
the impact of all of this,” said Sukinah. According
to her, water flows from thousands of springs in
Kendeng, not only enjoyed by Kendeng farmers.
In the last election, she said, the people’s voice
was very necessary. She said, both presidential
and vice presidential candidates, as well as polit-
ical parties, candidates for members of the cen-
tral and regional councils should not make empty
promises without giving to the people.
“When you are not in office, promises are easy to
make. Once you take office, the interests of the
people are mostly behind. The people always want
the best for this country,” said Sukinah.
She invited all elements of the Indonesian people,
especially women, to ignite the spirit of Ibu Kartini
by planting and caring for Mother Earth.
Daryatun, a fisherman for Roban Timur, Batang Re-
gency, came to the front of the Central Java Gov-
ernor’s Office to ask the government to take re-
sponsibility so that the Batang steam power plant
(PLTU) would not operate. Just not operating, he
said, has ruined the lives of small fishermen. Their
nets are often damaged because the residue from
the dredging is dumped carelessly.
“Lift the net, get mud, not shrimp or fish. Our in-
come has decreased and people’s lives are quar-
reling because of fighting against each other from
the PLTU,” she said. The income of Daryatun and
hundreds of other farmers in Roban is drastically
less than before PLTU Batang.
Before the PLTU existed, every day at least was
more than Rp.500,000 per day, out of three or four
hours fishing. Now, fishermen have to go far to sea
to get fish, the risk of major accidents and greater
fuel costs.
Reflection on the fulfillment of the
right to a healthy environment
Abdul Ghofar from the Indonesian Forum for the
Environment (Walhi) in Central Java, told Mongab-
ay in Semarang that Kartini Day was a reflection of
the fulfillment of the right to a good and healthy
environment and ecological justice. Ecosystem
damage, threatens the existence of life on earth,
especially humankind, especially threatens wom-
en and children.
“We, from the People’s Association of Dear Mother
Earth, gather to merge in the public space to con-
nect the feelings of women who have been at the
forefront of the struggle for environmental rights,”
he said.
In Central Java, said Ghofar, there are still many
other Kartini who have been hurt by various viola-
tions of the right to the environment, such as cases
of criminalization and pollution by PT. Rum in Su-
koharjo, cases of discrimination and confiscation
of land rights in Surokonto Wetan, cases of plans
for a cement factory in Gombong, and others.
The presidential and legislative elections are over.
It is time, said Ghofar, to refocus on the environ-
mental justice agenda, which during the campaign
subsided. “Central Java’s environmental condi-
tions will be increasingly threatened, for exam-

ple, summarized in the amendment to the Central
Java spatial planning regulation which will soon
be passed, there are plans to add one coal power
plant in Pemalang and expansion of five existing
power plants in Jepara, Rembang, Cilacap, Sema-
rang and Batang. More and more emission sources
pollute our air.”
Agung Setyawan from the Semarang Legal Aid In-
stitute said, today, the momentum is reminding the
state to resolve cases of environmental destruc-
tion arising from mining, industry, which threaten
the environment. For example, in Kendeng and pol-
lution in Sukoharjo. Stop the criminalization of hu-
man rights activists must, and demand the state’s
obligation to fulfill the right to a good and healthy
environment. “The destructive development plan
must be reviewed and canceled,” he said.
In Central Java RTRW, plans to change the function
of an area of 314,000 hectares. There are 259,000
hectares for mining, 34,000 hectares for industry,
and more than 2,300 hectares for toll roads and
arterial roads. “That will cost about 213,000 hec-
tares of gardens, farms and fields.” In fact, he said,
Central Java was in the shadow of an ecological
disaster, in the form of drought, floods, landslides,
a deficit in water supply and even food.
Data compiled by LBH Semarang, more than 1,071
disasters hit Central Java throughout 2017, a dras-
tic increase from 2016 as many as 600 times. In
2018, the Regional Disaster Management Agency
(BPBD) Central Java noted that there were more
than 2,000 landslides in Central Java.
“Don’t say that it has nothing to do with develop-
ment and exploitation of destructive nature, in fact
we think it is closely related,” said Agung.
Dinar Bayu from Greenpeace Indonesia said, Cen-
tral Java Kartini must continue to be supported in
protecting the earth. The government, instead of
creating food self-sufficiency, their policies still
show siding with dirty investors who torment fish-
ermen and small farmers. “We cannot just stand
by. Together with these Kartini, we must join the
struggle together for a future that is healthy and
livable.”
Andre Bahtiyar, representing the Student Execu-
tive Board of the Unwahas Semarang Faculty of
Agriculture, said that if you look at a sociological
perspective, all actions such as land evictions,
criminalization of farmers, exploitation of nature
and other phenomena regarding agrarian order
and social welfare have had a heavy impact on so-
ciety.
From the community’s economy being cut off, until
the ecological chain is disrupted, and it marginal-
izes the people, especially farmers and fishermen.
“We invite all communities to fight against earth
destroyers as a symbol of the spirit of people’s re-
sistance. Women to always fight against the de-
struction of the mother earth.”"
Source: https://www.mongabay.
co.id/2019/04/22/para-kartini-dari-jawa-ten-
gah-ini-akan-terus-suarakan-kelestarian-bumi/

PWYP Indonesia is a coalition of civil societies for transparency and accountability of extractive
resource governance in Indonesia. PWYP Indonesia was established in 2007, legalized under Indo-
nesia’s law in 2012 as Yayasan Transparansi Sumberdaya Ekstraktif, and affiliates to the network of
PWYP global campaign. PWYP Indonesia works in transparency and accountability along the chain
of extractive resource, from development phase of contract and mining operation (publish what
you pay and how you extract), production phase and revenue from industries (publish what you
pay), to the spending phase of revenue for sustainable development and social welfare (publish
what you earn and how you spent).
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Newsletter Voicing for Life Desember 2019 - English Version

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Newsletter Voicing for Life Desember 2019 - English Version