The Roles of Religious Organizations in the Decline of the Anti-mining Movement in Banyuwangi, East Java

What is it about?

The anti-mining movement and the affected communities in Banyuwangi has actively voiced their discontent against a mining company, PT. BSI, due to the environmental and employment issues. _x000D_ _x000D_ The anti-mining movement consists of the fishing and farmer communities, including the youth, heads of village, student and activist organizations, as well as small part of religious organization. However, their struggle has been declined due to the personals and groups’ interests, such as political agenda settings and job seeking interests. They leave the movement once their demands have been fulfilled. Idealists have been left to struggle alone._x000D_ _x000D_ Furthermore, the anti-mining movement has faced several social religious-nationalist organizations which have accused the anti-mining movement being communist ideology’s followers. The accusation of being communist follower has been used to discredit and trap them in order to prevent them recruiting new members, spreading their ideas, and preventing them from having public support. By accusing the anti-mining movement being communist, it gives opportunities for security institutions and social organizations to act legally when preventing and controlling the anti-mining movement’s future activities. To some extent, the anti-mining movement’s activities have been reduced significantly since the capture in 2017 because of the pressures and control of the pro-mining movement._x000D_

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