Mining Concession Is Considered A Kooptas Effort For Universities

JAKARTA UGM energy economic observer, Fahmy Goodhi, considers that the granting of mining business permit areas (WIUP) to universities regulated in the revision of the Minerba Law is an effort to co-opt to the academic community.

As is known, the Draft Law (RUU) on the Third Amendment to Law (UU) Number 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal (UU Minerba) opens opportunities for universities to obtain permits to manage metal mineral mines.

According to Fahmy, granting permission for WIUP management to universities is questionable. Moreover, the revision of the Minerba Law was held suddenly and seemed rushed. The management of WIUP by universities is actually detrimental to campuses who are considered to have agreed to environmental damage caused by mining.

'Business mining is not the job of universities. Campus domains are Tri Dharma Universities. In this mining activity, the input and output must damage the environment," he said, Sunday, January 26, 2025.

"Not to mention, for example, there is a horizontal conflict with the conflicts of the surrounding community. Will universities be involved in the conflict earlier? So, in my opinion, it is not very appropriate. So, in my opinion, this plan must be dropped or thwarted," continued Fahmy.

He suspects that there are scenarios from the government and the DPR to silence the academic community so that they are no longer critical of the government's policies that harm the people. Therefore, Fahmy hopes that universities reject the discourse on giving the WIUP concession.

"I am sure that universities that still prioritize conscience and the interests of the community will fight and reject the discourse. Apart from not being critical, universities are also required to be responsible if there are problems arising from mining activities," said Fahmy.