Indonesia: Government denies allegations of human rights violations amid tourism megaproject
'The Mandalika project accused of violating human rights, this is the government’s response', 6 April 2021
Reporters Special for Extreme Poverty and Human Rights Olivier De Schutter assessed the development of the Mandalika National Strategic Tourism Area (KSPN) megaproject or The Mandalika in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), violating human rights. This is because the megaprojects built and managed by the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) or the Indonesian Tourism Development PT is carried out by means of displacing and seizing local people’s land... In response to this, Teuku Taufiqulhadi, spokesman for the Ministry of Agrarian and Spatial Planning / National Land Agency (ATR / BPN), denied the accusation to the Indonesian government... Regarding the land acquisition process for The Mandalika, Taufiq claims, it will take place fairly and transparently, through mediation or public hearing by presenting an independent team... The Mandalika will become an international-class tourist destination... It contains a number of integrated attractions including the Grand Prix motor racing circuit, parks, luxury hotels and resorts, including the Pullman, Paramount Resort and Club Med. Part of this project is financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and has attracted more than IDR 14 trillion in investment from various private companies. One of them is the French Group VINCI Construction Grands Projets which is the largest investor, which is responsible for the Mandalika Circuit, hotels, hospitals, water parks and other facilities.