ACTIVISTS condemned police treatment of protests against the Komodo ticket price hike, saying that it shows the government has responded with repression to criticism against the Labuan Bajo development that disenfranchised local residents and the tourism industry.
On Aug 1, the government increased the ticket price to Komodo and Padar Islands of the Komodo National Park to 3.75 million rupiah (RM1,115), from the previous ticket price of 200,000 rupiah (RM60).
The move was intended to limit the number of visitors to protect the Komodo habitat, with a study by the Komodo National Park Agency recommending ideal yearly visitor numbers of 219,000 for Komodo Island and 39,420 for Padar Island.
But local community and tourism providers have opposed the plan, arguing that a lower number of overall visitors at the national park would reduce their income while the designation of Rinca Island for mass tourism would pressure it and undermine conservation efforts.
In protest, tourism providers in the Komodo National Park began a month-long strike starting last week with at least 700 workers.
Among the rallies held was at the Komodo Airport, during which at least three protesters were held.
Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) deputy coordinator Rivanlee Anandar said police treatment of the protests showed that repressive measures by the police were becoming more common.
When dealing with persons deemed to have caused public disorder, the police should have started with preventive measures, he said, but the police skipped the step and proceeded to arrest them. — The Jakarta Post/ANN