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Painted beach rocks in Riau Islands earn netizens' ire, praise
A Facebook post of brightly painted rocks on Tanjung Siambang Beach, Dompak Island, has generated numerous criticisms and comments from netizens, but the head of the Riau Islands tourism office believes it is a positive community effort to increase tourism to the area.
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An unidentified woman paints a rock on Tanjung Siamabang Beach, Dompak Island, Riau Islands province, in a photograph uploaded to Facebook that has raised both controversy and support among social media users. (Facebook Iza Zul/File)
The rocks on Tanjung Siambang Beach on Dompak Island, Riau Islands province, has recently become a social media topic.
Kompas Travel reported that a Facebook user named Iza Zul had uploaded photographs of the large rocks on the beach being painted in a variety of bright colors.
The photos showed several people painting the rocks red, blue, green, yellow and other eye-catching hues. Several netizens commented that painting the rocks was vandalism and that it was disruptive to nature. University student Fauzul a commented, “Why was this idea even thought up? This is vandalism. If one wants to make art, why ruin nature? There are other ways that are not destructive.”
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Another social media user and tourism enthusiast, Fahri, said that natural beauty was intended to be maintained naturally.
“This is how [our] generation responds to nature, with this irresponsible action. [If] this is only for popularity and following globalization, why should [we] sacrifice nature?”
Fahri also mentioned that the activity violated the law as an act of vandalism. The legal consequence for vandalism and environmental damage is outlined in article 489 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).
Amid the negative reactions, several netizens responded positively, viewing Iza Zul’s act as an effort to attract tourism.
Facebook user Butar Butar Charles Dody write, “It doesn’t matter if it is aimed to attract [tourists] and elevate the aesthetic value [of the beach]. Rocks are not living things and this [activity] does not have a negative impact on the environment. If it is done for a positive goal, then continue, my friend. But remember to dispose the paint cans into the appropriate disposal place, as it contains chemical waste.”
Riau Islands tourism office head Buralimar confirmed that the activity took place at Tanjung Siambang, Dompak Island, and believes the activity was a good effort to attract more tourists to the area.
“That was a creative initiative by a tourism-conscious community in Tanjung Siambang. This is an amazing idea to increase tourist attractions that will eventually turn Tanjung Siambang, Dompak Island, into a destination in its own right,” Buralimar told Kompas Travel on Saturday.
He believed the community-led activity was not vandalism, and therefore legal.
Buralimar works with tourism community groups to maintain existing destinations as well as to create new ones.
“Tourism-conscious communities have been competing to create new destinations and for that, I applaud them,” he added.
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As for the environmental impact of the activity, Buralimar put his faith in the local residents.
“I hope it doesn’t impact nature, but the people who live in the area already know how to maintain the environment because they rely on the beach and ocean for their livelihood. The tourism communities have also undergone training, so I hope they will continue to develop [the area's tourism], while also preserving nature,” he said.
Buralimar also underlined that Tanjung Siambang Beach had yet to be developed as a primary tourist destination. The local beach is known for its fishermen, small eateries and as a recreation area.
“The beach was only crowded when the Kepri Nautical Festival 2017 was held. It was mainly used for the kapal jong (miniature sailboat) and kolek (sailboat) competitions. Many international tourists visited at the time,” said Buralimar. (asw)
