Calls Agricultural Land The Cause Of Sukabumi Floods, PKB Legislators Strong Criticism Of The Ministry Of Law And Forestry Which Closes Eyes On Mining Activities

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX DPR RI from the PKB faction, Zainul Munasichin strongly criticized the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) report which stated that agricultural land was one of the causes of flooding in Sukabumi.

Zainul criticized the Ministry of Transportation again because the government seemed to be closing its eyes with the rise of mining activities in the southern region of Sukabumi.

Zainul regretted the conclusion of the Ministry of Forestry which said that flash floods were partly due to land conversion to agriculture without mentioning land conversion for mining areas.

"I deeply regret the report. Why did the Ministry of Forestry not mention the conversion of land for mining areas as the cause of flooding?" Zainul told reporters, Thursday, December 19.

For information, the Directorate General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Forestry in its report stated several allegations of causing flooding and landslides in Sukabumi Regency.

First, high to extreme rainfall occurs on December 4 and 5, 2024. Second, unstable soil conditions. Third, land conversion, such as land conversion from water catchment areas to built areas or intensive agriculture without soil conservation management.

Fourth, inadequate surface flow control, including the lack of natural and artificial drainage facilities. Fifth, the capacity and carrying capacity of the region are decreasing, due to sedimentation in the river and decreased vegetation quality.

Zainul assessed that the Ministry of Forestry was actually closing its eyes with the impact of mining in South Sukabumi. In fact, the damage caused by mining activities is very visible.

"Why does the Ministry of Forestry even blame the farmers. What is this? This is very odd and unreasonable," he said.

Zainul was surprised that the Ministry of Forestry did not include mining activities as a cause of flooding. In fact, he said, mining activities that damaged forests and nature were widely reported by the media and the wider community were also aware of this.

"We ask that nothing needs to be covered up. This is for our common good, the people of Sukabumi. Just open it up," he said again.

The West Java IV electoral district legislator also said that the rise of mining in the southern region caused damage to forests and the surrounding nature. For this reason, Zainul urged the government to conduct a moratorium on mining permits.

"Many trees were cut down. The soil in the area was dug and their contents were taken, so mining holes were everywhere," he said.

"For the time being, licensing must be stopped and a thorough evaluation of mining activities is carried out," concluded the Deputy Secretary General of the PKB DPP.