UNAIR NEWS – An alumnus of the Indonesian Literature program at the Faculty of Humanities (FIB), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), has brought local social issues to international attention. Muhammad Rusydan Mirwan Hadid highlighted the challenges faced by fisherfolk in Kenjeran, Surabaya, particularly in relation to the Surabaya Waterfront Land coastal reclamation project.
Through the premiere of his documentary Seizing The Coast, Hadid aims to offer an alternative perspective to prevailing local media narratives, which often overlook the realities of coastal communities. The screening was followed by a discussion session titled Revaluing the Ocean Talks, held at The University of Edinburgh on Friday, November 7, 2025, and featuring Professor Tim Cresswell, an expert in cultural geography.
From dominant narratives to the reality of Kenjeran fisherfolk
Hadid’s initiative was driven by concern over what he sees as unequal development practices in Kenjeran. The reclamation project, which threatens both the livelihoods and homes of local fisherfolk, has frequently been overshadowed by a single dominant narrative.
“For years, opposition to the SWL project has rarely been covered by mainstream media in Surabaya. As a result, public understanding of the issue has become divided, even though fishing communities have lived there for generations,” Hadid said. Through his documentary, he seeks to underscore the depth of cultural life in these communities, which cannot be reduced solely to economic measures.
Acts of solidarity and knowledge diplomacy
The discussion aimed to build empathy and generate moral support for the Kenjeran community, which continues to face ongoing challenges related to the reclamation project. It also provided a platform for collaboration in examining forms of development that not only harm the environment but also erode local cultural heritage.
“This is an effort to introduce another side of Indonesia to a global audience, one that has largely gone unnoticed,” he said. He added that knowledge can serve as a powerful means of exchange, capable of crossing borders and fostering global solidarity.
In preparing the event, the team focused on delivering the message effectively. The documentary not only highlights the situation in Kenjeran but also connects it to broader global concerns about inequitable development. The team expects international audiences to gain a clearer understanding of the complexities surrounding such issues in Indonesia, particularly in Kenjeran.
Author: Marissa Farikha Siti Fatimatuzzahra
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
