DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – Residents of Serangan Traditional Village, together with local fishermen, have formally voiced objections to the environmental approval granted for a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in Serangan waters. The objections were expressed publicly on Tuesday (January 20, 2026), citing concerns over licensing procedures that are considered procedurally and substantively flawed.
The response follows the issuance of an Environmental Feasibility Decree (SKKL) by Indonesia’s Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, under Decree No. 2832 of 2025.
The decision approves the construction and operation of LNG terminal infrastructure with a capacity of 170 MMSCFD across parts of Sidakarya Village, Sanur Kauh Village, Serangan Subdistrict, Sesetan Subdistrict, and Pedungan Subdistrict in South Denpasar, Bali. The decree was issued in Jakarta on October 31, 2025, for a project developed by PT Dewata Energi Bersih.
As a collective expression of concern, dozens of Serangan fishermen went out to sea in fishing boats and displayed banners near the planned project area. The peaceful action was intended to emphasize that Serangan waters are actively used as a living space and are closely tied to the community’s social, economic, and cultural life.
Village representatives stated that the action does not represent a rejection of development itself, but rather a protest against what they described as a closed, non-participatory, and inconsistent licensing process. According to the community, the environmental feasibility decision was issued without meaningful dialogue with those most directly affected by the project.
For the Serangan community, the sea is not only an economic resource but a primary living space that sustains livelihoods, social structures, and cultural traditions. The planned LNG project location overlaps with traditional fishing grounds and navigation routes, which residents say poses a direct threat to their livelihoods.
Beyond economic concerns, the community also raised safety issues. LNG infrastructure is considered a high-risk activity, with potential hazards including gas leaks, explosions, and industrial accidents. Placing such facilities close to fishing activities and residential areas, they argue, requires transparent and participatory safety assessments and mitigation planning.
Serangan waters are also regarded as part of the village’s customary territory and hold spiritual significance. The area is used for traditional and religious activities passed down through generations. Community leaders say the designation of marine space without involving the customary village and without considering its sacred value undermines local identity and cultural dignity.
The village further stated that up to the issuance of the SKKL, there had been no legitimate, open, and meaningful public participation involving fishermen or customary authorities as key stakeholders of the marine area. They also questioned the consistency of the approved project location with earlier information and commitments.
As a formal administrative step, Serangan Traditional Village announced plans to submit an official administrative objection to the Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency. The objection seeks a review and suspension of the environmental approval, which the community believes was issued without adequate transparency and participation.
The village has called on the government and relevant institutions to re-examine the entire licensing process for the LNG project in Serangan waters, warning that opaque and inconsistent procedures risk causing serious impacts on livelihoods, public safety, and the cultural values of coastal communities.