BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR — The death of mangrove trees in the Pedungan Mangrove Forest in Denpasar following a leak in a fuel pipeline operated by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has raised fresh concerns over the need for concrete and measurable ecosystem restoration.

The affected area is located west of the Bali Mandara Toll Road. PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has apologized to the people of Bali and expressed its commitment to taking responsibility by repairing and restoring the affected ecosystem.

The commitment has been welcomed by I GNA Agus Norman Sasono, an environmental activist. Agus said he appreciated Pertamina’s apology and its stated commitment to restoring the damaged mangrove ecosystem.

He also said he was ready to work with relevant stakeholders to monitor the restoration process until the affected mangroves have been fully rehabilitated.

“We are ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to oversee the restoration of the affected mangrove trees until the process is fully completed,” Agus said on Monday (Sept. 7, 2026).

According to Agus, the mangrove issue should not be viewed merely as damage to a specific area. Mangrove ecosystems play an important ecological role and are also closely linked to the social and economic livelihoods of local communities.

He therefore stressed that restoration must be carried out promptly, properly and measurably, with clear indicators to ensure that the ecosystem’s functions are restored.

Meanwhile, lawyers representing the complainants from the RAN Legal Team (Relawan Advokasi Nusantara), Putu Ari Sagita, S.H., M.H., and Wishwanata Adi Darma, S.H., M.H., said environmental cases should not be handled solely from a law-enforcement perspective.

“The main priority in environmental disputes should shift toward concrete restoration measures and full accountability for ecosystem recovery,” the RAN Legal Team said.

They also called for a change in the approach to environmental law enforcement by positioning criminal law as ultimum remedium, or a last resort.

The lawyers emphasized that Pertamina Patra Niaga’s commitment to restoration must be implemented with the precautionary principle and a strong sense of responsibility.

“The restoration commitment made by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga must be implemented with prudence and full responsibility in order to restore the ecosystem’s functions to their proper condition,” the RAN Legal Team said.

Attention is now turning to the actual implementation of the restoration program. The issue is no longer simply about an apology or a declaration of responsibility, but about whether concrete measures will be taken to rehabilitate the affected mangroves and restore the ecological functions of the area.

The success of the response will ultimately depend on the transparency of the restoration process, clear and measurable recovery targets, and the commitment of all parties to ensuring that the rehabilitation is completed properly and sustainably.