TEMPO.CO, Mataram - The Mount Rinjani National Park Agency (BTNGR) barred three Australian tourists from climbing Mount Rinjani for five years after they recklessly hiked the mountain while it was closed to the public.
Agency head, Yarman, told Tempo on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, that the illegal climbing activities were discovered on Sunday, March 2. “They were caught by the CCTVs,” said Yarman.
The BTNGR officers then carried out surveillance, waiting for the three climbers at guard posts along the Sembalun hiking route. “But until Sunday night, there were no signs of them descending,” said Yarman.
It was later found out on Monday that the three foreign nationals were staying in an inn in Sembalun. “They may have descended late at night, when our officers were off guard, as it is currently the month of fasting (Ramadan),” said Yarman.
The officers then approached them and informed them of their violations. “We filed a report against them. In principle, they knew that what they did was illegal,” said Yarman. “The information about the closure of Mount Rinjani climbing activities has been widely disseminated.”
The three climbers from Australia were known to have ascended through the Sembalun entry point and descended through the same point. For the violations they committed, the three foreign nationals were sanctioned with a climbing blacklist for 5 years and a fine of 5 times the normal entrance fee as stipulated in Government Regulation No. 36 of 2024 on non-tax state revenue, amounting to Rp6,000,000.
“They also made a statement promising to not repeat the same mistake,” said Yarman.
Yarman hopes climbers will follow the rules going forward to ensure safety and comfort for everyone. “We request climbers to respect the rules during the Moutn Rinjani closure. Like humans, Rinjani also needs rest,” Yarman concluded.
Editor’s Choice: Mount Rinjani Hiking Activity Closed for 3 Months in 2024
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