Tonggo Simangunsong

North Sumatra

North Sumatra based-freelance journalist, covers environmental and human rights issues. 📩 [email protected]. Latest works 👇

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Articles

Unchecked illegal trawling pushes Indonesia’s small-scale fishers to the brink

2 months ago | news.mongabay.com | Tonggo Simangunsong

Small-scale fishers in Indonesia face declining catches as illegal trawlers deplete fish stocks in near-shore waters, violating exclusion zone regulations. Trawling, a destructive fishing method banned in certain areas, is widely practiced due to weak law enforcement, with local authorities citing budget constraints for lack of patrols.
In Indonesia, Coffee Trends Meet Changing Cultural Norms With Delicious Results

Dec 4, 2024 | specialprojects.sprudge.com | Tonggo Simangunsong

“The taste of customers has changed.”Marasi Situngkir told me this one night, while he and I sat together in his coffee shop. He’s waiting for visitors to stop by, and I’m watching the cars drive by off the side of the highway in Medan City. Marasi is middle-aged, and his coffee shop is called Gerobak Kopi City+. He keeps it open from early in the morning until late at following the habits of his customers.
Criminalized for defending land: Indigenous struggles in North Sumatra

Sep 6, 2024 | fairplanet.org | Tonggo Simangunsong

At the evening trial held at the State Court of Simalungun, North Sumatera, on 14 August, two of the three judges found Sorbatua Siallagan guilty. The 65-year-old was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for occupying concession land belonging to PT. Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL), a subsidiary of the Indonesian pulp and paper giant, Royal Golden Eagle. "My father is not guilty.
Indonesia’s AI efforts led by government agency BRIN, creating everyday AI tools

Aug 8, 2024 | restofworld.org | Tonggo Simangunsong

For more than 16 years, Indonesian fisherman Dedi Arianto relied largely on his instinct as he ventured out into the Java Sea every day on his boat. But he could never be certain about the size of his catch. Then two years ago, officials from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) visited his village and demonstrated an AI-based mobile application they said would take the guesswork out of fishing.
Again, police arrest five indigenous community members around Indonesian pulp giant's concession area

Jul 25, 2024 | id-journo.blogspot.com | Tonggo Simangunsong

Just three months after police arrested Sorbatua Siallagan, the leader of the Dolok Parmonangan indigenous community, who was accused of occupying the concession land of PT. Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL), a subsidiary of Royal Golden Eagle, which planted eucalyptus in their concession area, police again arrested five members of the Sihaporas indigenous community.
Murder still threatens the Indonesian press

Jul 23, 2024 | fairplanet.org | Tonggo Simangunsong

July 24, 2024 The murder of a journalist in North Sumatra has again sparked questions about press freedom in Indonesia: why are journalists vulnerable to being targets of murder? Indonesia’s press law regulates the protection of its journalists.
Indonesia only needs international aid when a major disaster occurs, but why is it slow to handle small disasters?

Jul 19, 2024 | id-journo.blogspot.com | Tonggo Simangunsong

Three months after the landslide disaster accompanied by rocks in Simangulampe Village, Bakkara, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra, until the end of February, dozens of disaster victims from that village still chose to live temporarily in neighboring villages. "It's been almost two months since I [and my family] have been displaced, I don't know how long," said Lambok Manullang, one of the disaster victims whom I met at the disaster site, mid-January.
A new bill threatens Indonesian press freedom as President Jokowi’s term ends

Jun 9, 2024 | fairplanet.org | Tonggo Simangunsong

June 09, 2024 Towards the end of the leadership of President Jokowi, who Prabowo Subianto will replace in October, the Indonesian press is now facing a threat with the introduction of the controversial Broadcasting Bill.
Danone’s plastic offsetting project in disarray following community allegations

Apr 26, 2024 | unearthed.greenpeace.org | Emma Howard |Ellie O'Donnell |Tonggo Simangunsong

A plastic offsetting project backed by the food and drink giant Danone has been suspended, following allegations that a recycling facility was built illegally close to a Balinese community and without proper consultation, an Unearthed investigation has found. Danone’s project was set up as an attempt by the French multinational to offset its enormous plastic footprint in Indonesia, and part of its promise to recover more plastic than it uses in the country by 2025.
The trafficking victims forced into online scamming

Apr 20, 2024 | fairplanet.org | Tonggo Simangunsong

One day in June 2022, Andra, 27, called the number listed on a Facebook a job posting for an 'operator' position at an online trading company in Thailand. "I was interested in applying for the job because of the salary offered," Andra, who changed his name for security reasons, told FairPlanet.