Aspebindo Proposes 10 Percent Minerba PNBP For Universities

JAKARTA - The Association of Indonesian Mineral and Coal Energy Suppliers (Aspebindo) proposed that additional articles on the revision of the Mineral and Coal Law (Minerba) which regulates 10 percent of non-tax state revenues (PNBP) in the mineral and coal sector be given to universities.

"We propose the addition of a new article, namely the existence of a special allocation from PNBP obtained from the mineral and coal sector for universities. We propose the amount for education at 10 percent," said Deputy Chairperson of Aspebindo Fathul Nugroho after attending the General Hearing Meeting (RDPU) of the DPR Legislation Body regarding the Draft Law on the Fourth Amendment to Law Number 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal (RUU Minerba) in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, January 22.

This step is believed by Fathul to be a solution to provide financial solutions for universities.

Thus, if universities remain involved by the government to manage mining land, academics can focus on taking advantage of this opportunity for research and development.

Fathul is of the view that this step is part of their efforts to carry out Tri Dharma Universities, namely teaching, research, and community service.

"This means that the goal of universities is not just mining exploitation, just seeking profit, but they can also find new technologies in the mining world," said Fathul.

According to Fathul, universities that manage mines may not be problematic on the technical side. However, the mining operational side will be a challenge for universities.

In addition to providing 10 percent of PNBP mineral and coal to universities, Fathul also proposed that 15 percent of the mineral and coal PNBP be given to social, and 20 percent of the mineral and coal PNBP to finance the acceleration of downstream mining business.

The revision of the fourth amendment of the Minerba Law is cumulatively open, because the Minerba Law has been tested four times at the Constitutional Court and two tests have been approved conditionally by the Constitutional Court.

Following up on the final and binding Constitutional Court's decision, the DPR also revised the Minerba Law.

However, in addition to revising the Minerba Law as ordered by the Constitutional Court, the DPR also included a number of substances into the draft Minerba Bill, citing legal needs.

A number of articles were changed by the DPR, including changing Article 51 by adding the phrase or by giving priority', which then regulates giving priority to religious organizations in Article 51 paragraph (3) letter c.

Then, the DPR also added a new article, namely Article 51A which regulates the opportunity for universities to manage mines.