TRENGGALEK – Residents in Pule District, Trenggalek, have demanded the removal of district head Dwi Ratna Widyawati over allegations of arrogance, abuse of authority, and actions that damaged public trust.

The demand emerged during a protest organized by a community group called Aliansi Masyarakat Pule Manunggal, or Almas Puma, at the Pule District Office on Wednesday.

Community leaders, village officials, and local residents joined the demonstration. Protesters urged the Trenggalek regency administration to immediately transfer the district head from her current position.

Almas Puma chief coordinator Agus Trianta said the request reflected frustration that had grown for years among residents across Pule District.

“Village heads, village officials, community leaders, and residents have all expressed concerns over her leadership,” Agus said on Thursday.

According to Agus, around 80 percent of the discussion during the protest focused on demands for the district head’s removal.

He said residents believed the district administration failed to support local economic initiatives and community-based activities.

Agus pointed to tensions involving residents who installed decorative lighting near the district office to support small businesses and street food stalls in the area.

“Local potential should be embraced, not treated as an enemy. Residents tried to support small businesses near the district office, but conflict instead emerged,” he said.

Besides leadership issues, protesters also raised allegations involving village property tax funds, known locally as PBB payments.

Agus claimed village officials and tax collectors faced pressure because some collected funds allegedly remained undistributed for a period of time.

“That situation created stress for employees because the government kept asking about payments while the money had not yet reached the treasury,” he explained.

According to information received by the group, the delayed tax funds reached around Rp 188 million across several villages.

However, Agus said officials returned the funds in March 2026. Even so, he argued the issue had already weakened public confidence in the district administration.

“The money returned to the villages, but the problem already damaged public trust,” he added.

Agus also accused the district head of frequently acting beyond her official responsibilities as a subdistrict leader.

“Residents believe she often went beyond her authority as district head. Many people no longer consider her suitable to lead Pule District,” he said.

The protest forum included nine village heads, village officials, and community leaders from across Pule District. Agus estimated attendance reached between 60 and 80 participants.

After meeting with the Trenggalek administration, Agus said local officials directly responded to the complaints.

He stated that the Trenggalek regional secretary informed protesters that the administrative process regarding the district head had already entered the system.

According to Agus, the district head no longer works from the Pule District Office while authorities continue reviewing the matter.

“We received information that the process has already entered the administrative system. For now, she no longer serves in Pule,” he explained.

Despite the response, Almas Puma vowed to continue monitoring the process until the government issues a permanent reassignment decision.

The group also warned it could organize larger demonstrations in Trenggalek city if authorities fail to meet residents’ demands.

“We will continue guarding this process until officials officially transfer her from Pule. The government can place her elsewhere, but residents here no longer want leadership like this,” Agus said.

The controversy marks another conflict involving the Pule district administration after earlier public protests related to road infrastructure issues several years ago.