Discussion activities at the Water Forum for the People (The People's Water Forum/PWF) event in Denpasar City , Bali, Monday (20/5/2024) afternoon, discontinued. A group of people from a community organization came to the location of the event and forced the organizers of the Water for the People Forum to stop the discussion activities.

Not only did they force the event to be stopped, the group of community organizations (mass organizations) also took a number of billboards for the Water Forum for the People event. The coordinator of the mass organization argued that the activities of the Water Forum for the People could disrupt the conduciveness of Bali in the midst of holding the international conference World Water Forum (World Water Forum/WWF) 10.

"There has been a directive from the Governor of Bali to maintain a conducive atmosphere during the WWF activities," said Gus Yadi, coordinator of the organization, when interviewed by reporters.

Also read: Opening World Water Forum, Jokowi Reveals Threat of Water Crisis

The intimidation actions taken by the organization have been regretted by several parties, including participants, event organizers of the People's Air Forum who were on location, as well as several discussion participants who joined the event virtually.

The participant in the discussion from Carleton University in Canada, Meera Karunananthan, who attended the event virtually, stated that the act of intimidation towards the series of forums on Air for the People, which discussed water issues and concerns the interests of the general public, indicates a restriction on public rights.

Director of Bintang Gana Bali Foundation, who is also the Chairman of Bali Care Forum, I Nyoman Mardika, revealed that the organization of the People's Water Forum event, coordinated by the People's Coalition for the Right to Water and serving as a people's forum accompanying the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) in Bali, also discussed issues about water and water justice for the people. "We feel there is repressive action against this public activity," said Mardika, who was a speaker during the ongoing discussion.

In response to the suspension of the discussion event, Mardika declared that he had to leave the room to meet with the group of organizations, which disrupted the discussion and eventually caused it to stop.

In his statement to reporters, Mardika said that the hosting of the People's Forum on Air in Denpasar, scheduled to begin on Tuesday (21/5/20204), does not disturb the security situation and community conduciveness because there is no agenda for protests or demonstrations.

Encountered at the event location, Secretary General of Pro-Democracy (ProDem) 98 Bali, Roberto Hutabarat expressed his disappointment over the occurrence of intimidation from an organization claiming to represent the Bali community.

In his statement to reporters on Monday (May 20, 2024), Roberto stated that the repressive actions of certain civil society groups towards the public activity of the Air Forum for the People event indicates pressure from government officials and security forces who are anti-criticism.

"As facilitators of the event, we strive to ensure the implementation of the People's Water Forum," said Roberto, who is also part of the local committee organizing the People's Water Forum in Bali. "WWF also organizes discussions and meetings. Why is it forbidden when the community holds such meetings as a counter-narrative?" questioned Roberto.

Contacted separately, Head of Bali Regional Police Public Relations Division, Commissioner Jansen Avitus Panjaitan stated that there are no prohibitions for the implementation of discussions and demonstrations during the international events in Bali.

The activity can take place as long as it is carried out in an orderly manner and does not disturb the security and public order. In addition, the organizers have informed the police about the agenda and implementation of the activity beforehand.

The Water for the People Forum event, held in Denpasar, raised the theme of "Building Solidarity through the Water Justice Movement". The event was attended by participants from Indonesia and the international community.

Also read:Strengthening Solidarity and Prosperity Through Water

In a series of discussions under the People's Air Forum activities on Monday (May 20th, 2024), several participants who joined online and offline emphasized the importance of fair access to water for the community.

Online, Director Main of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Bali Women Crisis Center (WCC) Ni Nengah Budawati said that fair water access is correlated with fulfilling the rights of women and children.

The Chairperson of the National Executive Body of the Women's Solidarity Armayanti Sanusi stated that ensuring fair access to water is also a form of respect for women's rights. Water is a fundamental necessity that affects all aspects of community life, including women.

Found at a discussion event in Denpasar City, Armayanti also expressed her disappointment with the pressure and intimidation during the implementation of the People's Water Forum event.