Religious Organizations Get A Mining Managing Permit, Bahlil: No Political Affairs, Legislative!

JAKARTA - Investment Minister/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia requested not to comply with the government's plan to grant the Special Mining Business Permit Area (WIUPK) to religious community organizations (ormas) with political affairs.

The reason, continued Bahlil, is that political contestation has been completed. In fact, the General Election Commission (KPU) has also appointed Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka as president and vice president elected for the 2024 to 2029 period.

"Political has been completed, Mr. Prabowo has won 58 percent. There is no business with politics," he said at a press conference at the BKPM Office, Friday, June 7.

"So please, if what is finished, it's finished, that's it, what's too much? Yes, I'm sorry, I think it's too late. I don't want to be related," he continued.

Bahlil is of the view that if WIUPK is given by the government to religious organizations before the 2024 general election, then it makes sense to be associated with political issues.

"There is no political debt. NU is not political, the state just gives up its life to defend the country, don't dwarf big organizations, don't. They are a pole rather than the presence and strengthening of the nation," he said.

Therefore, Bahlil also asked all parties not to associate the government's good intentions with political affairs. He said that if there is a relationship with politics, the government only gives it to NU.

"If only because of our political problems, we only love NU, but we want to give everything," he said.

Furthermore, Bahlil said that PP Number 25 of 2024 concerning amendments to PP Number 96 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Mineral and Coal Mining Business Activities, as a sign of service to community organizations.

"This is the good faith of the government under the leadership of Mr. President Jokowi to appreciate the services of the extraordinary organizations and their contribution to the country," he said.

As previously reported, President Joko Widodo said that the Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK) for community organizations (ormas) has strict requirements and is given to business entities or cooperatives owned by mass organizations.

"What is given is once again business entities in mass organizations, the requirements are also very strict," said President Jokowi when giving a press statement after reviewing the location of the 79th Indonesian Independence Day Ceremony at IKN, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, June 5.

IUPK is given to business entities owned by mass organizations, both in the form of cooperatives and limited companies (PT). Jokowi denied that IUPK was given to the institution or community organization itself, but its business institution.

"Whether it is given to cooperatives in mass organizations or possibly PT and others. So the business entity given (IUPK), not the mass organization," said the President.