A letter from prison on the fight against the depletion of nature

For decades, the nature in Indonesia, and specifically in the Moluccas, has been increasingly exploited by large (often foreign) corporations. They fish, chop, and dig the land empty, leaving nothing behind for the natives. In the village of Haya in the Moluccas, this recently happened again: a large international mining company began a massive sand quarry near the village, destroying the coastline and its surrounding nature. This has had serious consequences for the local population. Locals stood up against the destruction of their land, two young people were arrested for arson.

They are now in prison and awaiting trial. The activist group Kora Maluku is fighting for their release and against the further depletion of nature in the Moluccas. They are doing this, in part, with a contribution from Het Actiefonds.

From prison, the young people sent us a letter about their well-being. Their voices are filled with more than just pain; they’re filled with hope, courage, and a deep love for their land. Reading these notes is not just like standing with them, but keeping their fight alive, and making sure their voices aren’t silenced.

Me, The Land Of Custom, And Nature

Why do I say this? Because I am an indigenous people, born in a place that has always taught me how to respect, with values and traditions that bind and protect both people and nature in my land, Haya Village. A land blessed with abundant natural wealth, both on land and at sea, a land that cherishes social life, a land whose people remain obedient to customary law that always safeguards our environment.

But alas, we, Haya people, are only ordinary people who simply wish to protect our environment from the hands of the wicked, those who seek to destroy it for the pleasure of the greedy and selfish.

Assalamualaikum Wr. Wb.

On February 18, 2025, I was accused and declared a suspect in the burning of one of the companies engaged in processing red sand along the coast of my homeland. Yet, all I wanted was to protect our environment from the threat of severe coastal erosion. This struggle does not end here. In fact, I am deeply proud of my comrades who, until today, continue to voice the struggle for my release from what I feel is unjust, and to demand the closure of that company. Honestly, I was moved to tears seeing the efforts of those who have never given up. I only want to say: you are the fighters who will always be remembered by the Haya people.