Artists Join Action Against Manakarra Beach Reclamation Plan

Rabu, 15 September 2010 20:07 WIB

Mamuju, W Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - A number of West Sulawesi artists took part in a public protest against the Mamuju city administration's land reclamation plan as part of a project to revitalize Manakarra beach.

The artists joined a group of West Sulawesi youths studying at the Yogyakarta Institute of Fine Arts in a theatrical rally at Manakarra beach marked by the sprinkling of flowers on the area mimicking a traditional ceremony to drive away ill fortune to indicate their rejection of the land reclamation plan.

Mursalim Majid, one of the artists, said the land reclamation project would cause fundamental changes in the social-economic conditions of the beach area that were detrimental to the local community.

"We reject the land reclamation plan because it will have an unfavorable economic impact on local street vendors, in fact, displace them," Mursalim said.

"Manakarra beach will lose its original characteristics, historical and cultural values by the reclamation. People will no longer be able to enjoy the beach's genuineness." he said.

He asked the Mamauju city administration to cancel the revitalization project including the land reclamation plan which was to be implemented later this year.

"Let the Manakarra beach remain as beautiful as it is, keep it in its original conditions. There is no need to transform it into something else. Don't ruin what it has become through a natural process and developments," he said.

He also urged the Mamuju Regional Legislative Assembly to reject the reclamation plan.

The Mamuju city administration had earmarked Rp18.7 billion of its budget funds to implement its Manakarra beach revitalization project.(T.KR-AES/S012)

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