“We are currently planning our visit. Recently, the community of Tanjung Aan held a hearing with us and Commission I, where we discussed our upcoming trip,” stated Lalu Muhammad Akhyar, Chairman of Commission II, during an interview on Monday, June 30, 2025. He emphasized the need for the local government to find appropriate solutions based on the Law No. 32 of 2014 concerning Marine Management in Indonesia, given the current issues at Tanjung Aan Beach.
“This means that the local government should support investments and developments that benefit Lombok Tengah while also considering the community’s needs. We must ensure that the economic lifeline of the residents is not disrupted, especially if it involves areas outside the land management rights,” he explained.
Akhyar suggested that local vendors should not be completely displaced. Ideally, he mentioned, they should not be moved far from the beach area. “The government could consider a slight relocation, and ITDC should also seek solutions,” he added.
He noted that the residents of Lombok Tengah, particularly those living in the Special Economic Zone (KEK) of Mandalika, have made significant sacrifices for the advancement of tourism. This should be a crucial consideration for ITDC to ensure that the livelihoods of the community are preserved. “I believe the residents in this KEK area are open-minded about tourism and have no intention of opposing it,” he asserted.
According to him, the community in the KEK Mandalika is heavily reliant on the tourism sector. The Golkar Party politician urged the local government to provide space for the community and to consider perspectives beyond just development. He pointed out that the presence of stalls at Tanjung Aan Beach has created numerous job opportunities and stimulated the local economy. “This economic chain is already in motion, providing many jobs and facilitating economic circulation. We need to understand what will happen to them. Therefore, we are urging the government to find a solution promptly,” he concluded.
Previously, ITDC confirmed its intention to regulate the stalls and vendors at Tanjung Aan Beach, despite facing opposition from residents. ITDC claimed that socialization and notifications for vacating the area had been conducted since 2023. “We will continue with the clearing and organization according to the master plan for the area,” said Wahyu Moerhadi Nugroho, General Manager of The Mandalika, during a media briefing on Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Praya.
Wahyu explained that ITDC is currently utilizing the land through legal cooperation schemes such as the Land Utilization Development Agreement (LUDA) and long-term leases on state-owned land managed by ITDC, in accordance with Government Regulation No. 50 of 2008. He emphasized that land utilization by investors does not equate to privatization, and the public will still have access to the beach. He cited the management of The Nusa Dua in Bali, where the community retains free access to the beach despite being within an international hotel area.
“We have communicated this clearly, and we are now in the process of clearing and organizing the land according to the master plan, in line with the Lombok Tengah spatial plan and the Presidential Regulation on the Mandalika Special Economic Zone,” he stated.
For your information, ITDC has given residents a deadline to vacate the area voluntarily by June 28, 2025. After this date, forced evictions will be carried out. ITDC, as the manager of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone, plans to build a five-star hotel and beach club at Tanjung Aan Beach, which is part of the land under its management. So far, PT ITDC has established commitments with two investors to develop the Tanjung Aan area, including PT Kleo Mandalika Resort, which plans to invest approximately Rp 2 trillion in a five-star hotel.
