Menpar Widiyanti's Reaction About Raja Ampat Which Was Made A Nickel Mine

JAKARTA nickel mining activities in the Raja Ampat region, Southwest Papua, have violated regulations and threatened one of the largest biological assets in the world that has been Indonesia's mainstay in the tourism and conservation sector.

This activity made the Minister of Tourism (Menpar) Widiyanti Putri Wardhana realize. Through its official broadcast, Menpar encourages every extractive industrial activity in Indonesia to always prioritize the principles of sustainable tourism so that it can run in line with the development of tourism, ecology, and socio-cultural life of the community.

In his meeting with the Governor of Southwest Papua, Elisa Kambu, at the Sapta Pesona Building, Jakarta, Wednesday (4/6/2025) said that his party was seriously observing one of the activities of the extractive industry, especially related to the expansion of nickel mines in the Raja Ampat area, which is located relatively close to the Raja Ampat UNESCO Global Geopark Tourism Area (UGGP).

This activity raises public concerns and environmental observers. Raja Ampat himself is one of Indonesia's priority tourism destinations that holds a number of priorities or status other than UGGp, including the National Water Conservation Area and the World Coral Reef Center.

"Every development activity in this area must stand on the principles of prudence, respect the ecosystem, and balance between development and conservation," said Minister of Tourism Widiyanti.

Minister Widiyanti said the Ministry of Tourism was committed to making Raja Ampat a symbol of quality tourism based on conservation, education, society, quality, and sustainability.

For this reason, Minister Widiyanti said that there is a need for a thorough evaluation of mining permits in sensitive areas, especially those intersecting with conservation tourism destinations.

The Ministry of Tourism also supports a whole of government approach in policy alignment between the tourism, environmental, energy and mineral sectors.

In addition, it is necessary to have a dialogue forum with the relevant ministries so that the decisions taken really take into account the direction of sustainable tourism development.

Minister Widiyanti said the Ministry of Tourism was ready to supply tourism planning-based data and input and empirical experience, including the role of local communities as protectors of the region.

"We believe that Raja Ampat's future strength is in the preservation of the sea, culture, and society, so this is what must be maintained as well as possible," said Minister of Tourism Widiyanti.

The Governor of West Papua, who emphasized the importance of commitment from all parties, both the central government, regional governments, and the community in preserving Raja Ampat.

"We in the regions have limited authority. Through communication, we hope that Raja Ampat's destination can be the attention of the central government. Together we ensure that Raja Ampat can become a wealth not only for Indonesia, but also for the world," said Governor Elisa Kambu.

Raja Ampat is the area with the highest marine biodiversity in the world. Therefore, the best investment in Raja Ampat is investment in conservation, education, and empowerment of local communities. If managed wisely, Raja Ampat can become a model of destinations in the world that balances the economy and ecology in harmony.