TNI and police lead Pantai Kita beach cleanup ahead of 81st anniversary

Sikka — Indonesian military and police personnel joined local authorities and support agencies to clean Pantai Kita in Hewuli, Alok Barat, Sikka Regency, on Friday, 18 September 2026, as part of activities marking the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), according to public broadcaster RRI.

The operation ran from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. WITA and was led by Alok Police deputy chief First Inspector Laurensius Laka, RRI reported. Participants came from the Alok Police sector, Sikka District Military Command (Kodim 1603/Sikka), the Maumere Naval Base, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Hewuli urban village government and Persit, the TNI wives’ association.

Before work began, participants assembled for a briefing and were assigned sectors along the shoreline. They then collected plastic waste, leaves, branches and other debris from the coastal area, with the activity focused on the beach and adjacent shoreline.

RRI described the cleanup as a joint environmental action by state institutions and the community aimed at improving coastal conditions and strengthening cooperation between TNI, police, government agencies and residents. The outlet reported that the organizers linked the action to public awareness of shared responsibility for shoreline cleanliness and the health of the coastal and marine ecosystem.

Waste handling and participation

According to RRI, the collected material was separated before being transported to a designated disposal location. The report did not specify the total weight or volume of waste, nor did it provide a detailed breakdown beyond broad categories such as plastic, leaves and branches.

The named participants included Alok Police personnel, Sikka District Military Command deputy commander Major Dominggus M.A., Maumere Naval Base operations officer Major Laut (T) Nono Sumarno, Basarnas staff, Kelurahan Hewuli officials and members of Persit. The report referred to collaboration with the public but did not identify specific local community organizations, resident groups or fishermen by name.

RRI said the cleanup concluded at 8:00 a.m. WITA in safe and orderly conditions. The broadcaster reported that organizers hoped a cleaner beach would provide greater comfort for visitors and help maintain the marine ecosystem in the area.

TNI anniversary context

The beach cleanup formed part of a wider series of events ahead of the TNI’s 81st anniversary, which will fall on 5 October 2026. The activity used the anniversary theme, “TNI Kuat Bersama Rakyat Indonesia Berdaulat dan Makmur,” which the report described as emphasizing a strong armed forces working with the Indonesian people towards sovereignty and prosperity.

Pantai Kita itself is a popular local beach on the outskirts of Maumere, located in Hewuli, Alok Barat, Sikka Regency, and known among residents for its white sand and easy access from the town. National tourism data list attractions in Sikka Regency including coastal destinations near Maumere, underscoring the importance of beach cleanliness for local tourism and recreation.

RRI’s report framed the Hewuli cleanup as an example of coordinated action at a coastal tourism site ahead of a national military commemoration. It did not indicate whether similar cleanups at Pantai Kita are scheduled regularly or whether the activity is integrated into a broader marine-waste management programme in Sikka.

Sources

• RRI Ende regional report: "TNI Polri Bersihkan Pantai Kita jelang HUT TNI"
• SMAN 1 Maumere school site – teacher literacy article describing Pantai Kita
• Sisparnas – Indonesian Tourism Attractions in Sikka Regency