“All residents with buildings in the TWA Megamendung area must follow through on their commitment to take them down,” Mahyeldi said in Padang.
His statement comes amid ongoing violations in the protected area, with unauthorized buildings still standing along the riverbanks within the park zone.
Mahyeldi, a former mayor of Padang, said the government and the Forestry Ministry have already given residents a deadline to dismantle the structures voluntarily. If ignored, officials will proceed with forced demolition in coordination with security forces.
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The governor said the measure is necessary to protect lives and prevent disasters like the deadly flash floods and landslides that struck the area on May 11, 2024.
“We’ve seen the devastating impact of the floods and landslides that claimed lives. This must not be repeated,” he said.
Mahyeldi stressed that clearing Megamendung Nature Park of illegal buildings and human activity is critical to preserving forest and river ecosystems and reducing the risk of future natural disasters.
On June 25, 2025, the Forestry Ministry permanently shut down nine illegal sites in the area. The closures included sealing off the locations, placing warning signs, and blocking access roads with large rocks.
Officials say the park must be protected from further environmental degradation, and that enforcement actions will continue if residents refuse to comply with conservation rules.
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Reporter: Muhammad Zulfikar, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
