Father Magnis Supports KWI's Attitude Not To Apply For A Mining Permit

JAKARTA - Filsuf and clergy Franz Magnis-Suseno stated that they support the attitude of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI) which states that they will not apply for a permit for a mining business.

"I support KWI's stance that he will not implement it. I am afraid that our people will not, we are not educated for that and the people hope from us in religion, that's not it," Romi Magnis told reporters after attending the Cross-Iman Dialogue with the theme "Caring for the World, Maintaining Life" in commemoration of Vesak Day 2024 in Jakarta, Saturday. He conveyed this in response to journalists' questions about KWI's attitude towards Government Regulation (PP) Number 25 of 2024 which provides opportunities for business entities belonging to community organizations (ormas) of religion to manage coal mining businesses during the period 2024-2029. According to him, even though granting mining business permits for religious organizations could have good intentions, Catholic organizations and Protestants would reject this. "I don't know, maybe it means good, yes. But, I think if Catholics and Protestants are the same, both reject it," he said.

Previously, the Archbishop of Jakarta, Prof. Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, had mentioned that the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI) would not apply for a permit for a mining business.

"I don't know if other mass organizations are yes, but at KWI it won't take that opportunity because it's not our area to look for mines and others," said Cardinal Suharyo after gathering at the DKI Jakarta Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion, Jalan DI Panjaitan, Jatinegara, East Jakarta, Wednesday (5/6). ) It is known that PP 25 of 2024 is a change to Government Regulation Number 96 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Mineral and Coal Mining Business Activities.

Suharyo said the services provided by KWI were not related to mining businesses. "The services are clear, KWI is not included in (mining businesses) like that," he said. Previously, President Joko Widodo said that the Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK) for religious organizations had strict requirements and was 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, as witnessed in digital broadcasts from the Presidential Secretariat, Wednesday (5/6). The President reiterated that IUPK is given to business entities owned by mass organizations, both in the form of cooperatives and limited companies (PT). The President denied that the IUPK was given to the institution or community organization itself, but the business institution. "Whether it is given to cooperatives in mass organizations or possibly PT and others. So the business entity provided (IUPK), not the mass organization," said the President.