Flores Rejects Becoming a “Geothermal Island”:

 Flores Rejects Becoming a “Geothermal Island”:

Coalition Submits *Amicus Curiae* Brief to the Supreme Court

Jakarta, October 8, 2026 – The Coalition of the People of Flores Against Geothermal Energy and the Civil Society Coalition Against Geothermal Energy have submitted an *amicus curiae* (friend-of-the-court) brief to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia regarding Case Number 43 P/HUM/2026. The coalition comprises YLBHI, Walhi National, Trend Asia, Greenpeace, Amman Flobamora, Kommas Ngada, ELSAM, HuMA, and Formmada NTT.

This case goes beyond the simple question of whether or not geothermal energy should be developed. It concerns how the state exercises its authority over natural resources and who must bear the consequences of the ambitious policies driving such extractive projects. The case challenges three decrees issued by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM): Decree No. 1534 K/30/MEM/2008 (as amended by Decree No. 0539 K/30/MEM/2012) regarding the Sokoria Geothermal Working Area; Decree No. 1152 K/30/MEM/2011 regarding the Mataloko Geothermal Working Area; and Decree No. 2268 K/30/MEM/2017, which designates the island of Flores as a “Geothermal Island.”

Ultimately, the island of Flores cannot be treated merely as a territory containing geothermal potential—and subsequently designated a “Geothermal Island”—without first ensuring that the people living there possess the right to be informed, to understand, to express their opinions, and to determine for themselves the future of the space in which they live. The coalition maintains that the development of renewable energy must remain aligned with and guided by the principles of the rule of law, democracy, human rights, and environmental sustainability. The greater the impact a policy has on the living space of a community, the higher the requirements for transparency, due diligence, meaningful participation, and the protection of the community's rights.

“Renewable energy is not a blank check for the state. In the name of energy transition, the government remains obligated to respect human rights, protect the environment, ensure access to information, and guarantee that local communities have a voice in determining the future of their own territories,” stated Edy Kurniawan of YLBHI.

The principle of state control over natural resources must be genuinely directed toward the greatest possible prosperity for the people—not toward the expansion of state authority or development agendas that disregard and negate the very existence of local communities.

“Indonesia faces major challenges in energy governance, particularly within the electricity sector. There are still islands forced to bear the ecological, disaster-related, and socio-economic costs for the benefit of industries located elsewhere. An energy transition cannot simply involve swapping energy sources while maintaining the same flawed development model—a model where communities remain excluded, information lacks transparency, and the social and environmental risks are left for residents to shoulder,” said Renie Aryandani of Trend Asia.

Through an *amicus curiae* (friend-of-the-court) brief submitted to the Supreme Court, Trend Asia asserts that the label “renewable energy” does not automatically render a policy fair. The development of geothermal energy in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) must be rigorously evaluated for its impact on living spaces, water sources, livelihoods, and the rights of the local population. An energy transition must not create new social and ecological crises. 

“Geothermal development policy on the island of Flores should be framed within the context of human rights and environmental protection. Any policy determining the use of the spaces where people live must guarantee access to information and meaningful public participation. It must also respect the rights of indigenous and customary communities over their territories, land, water sources, and cultural identity—as well as everyone’s right to a good and healthy environment. 

In the context of affected communities, the state has an obligation to ensure that the development process does not create pressure, discrimination, or a sense of fear that could stifle people’s freedom to express their opinions. Therefore, a just energy transition must be viewed as an inherent part of democratic and transparent development—one that respects human rights and treats citizens as rights-bearing subjects, rather than mere objects of development,” stated Markus Wijaya from ELSAM.

The fundamental reason WALHI deems it necessary to fully support the struggle of the residents of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT)—by filing an *amicus curiae* brief alongside this coalition—is our conviction that the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, which designates Flores, Mataloko, and Ende as geothermal development project areas, must be immediately revoked. This designation risks transforming an island region—already characterized by high ecological vulnerability and a high risk of natural disasters—into a site for large-scale geothermal expansion. Such a designation should not be viewed merely as a policy to accelerate renewable energy; rather, it must be examined within the context of environmental carrying capacity, hydrological vulnerability, forest areas, community-managed lands, and the persistent threat of natural disasters. In fact, the NTT provincial government has acknowledged in its 2024–2029 Medium-Term Regional Development Plan (RPJMD) that the region is prone to droughts, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. This underscores that any spatial planning policy on the island must be grounded in the precautionary principle to prevent adverse impacts on the environment and its inhabitants.

"We firmly caution that an energy transition which disregards the ecological and social character of a region risks creating new forms of ecological disaster—such as the destruction of landscapes, disruption of hydrological systems, loss of living space, agrarian conflicts, and an increased vulnerability of the population to disasters. The development of geothermal projects must never be used as a justification for sacrificing public safety, the environment, or human rights," stated Faizal Ratuela of WALHI.

Based on the above, the coalition demands:

The revocation of the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 0539/K/30/MEM/2012 concerning the Sokoria Geothermal Working Area, Ende.

The revocation of the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 1152 K/30/MEM/2011 concerning the Mataloko Geothermal Working Area, Ngada. Revoke the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 2268 K/30/MEM/2017 concerning the Designation of Flores Island as a Geothermal Island.

Halt all forms of development and expansion of geothermal projects on Flores Island that fail to meet the principles of transparency, meaningful public participation, environmental protection, and respect for the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Make public all documents that served as the basis for the designation of geothermal working areas and the designation of Flores Island as a Geothermal Island, including assessment reports, regional maps, permits, and other supporting documentation.

Refrain from using the narrative of "energy transition" and "clean energy" as a justification for disregarding human rights and the environment on Flores Island.

Sincerely,

Flores Community Coalition Against Geothermal Energy, in Solidarity with Civil Society

YLBHI

Walhi National

Trend Asia

Greenpeace

Amman Flobamora

Komnas Ngada

ELSAM

HuMA

Formmada NTT

Vivat International

JPIC OFM

Padma Indonesia