Empty Villages and Bogus Regional Regulations

With a vast area surrounded by forests, Arombu Utama Village” in Latoma district, Konawe regency, Southeast Sulawesi province, looks as if it is uninhabited on most days.

KOMPAS/KELVIN HIANUSA

The situation in Lalowulo village, Konawe regency, Southeast Sulawesi. This village, which is located on the side the highway to the capital of Southeast Sulawesi, Kendari.

The road was deserted apart from a stone marked with the words “Arombu Utama Village” in Latoma district, Konawe regency, Southeast Sulawesi province. On that Saturday (23/11/2019) afternoon, you could only hear the sound of cows walking on the gravel road.

A few kilometers later, there was a crowd of villagers. Nanang, 29, and around a dozen other villagers were sitting on a stage measuring 10 meters by 5 meters.