KKP Sends Special Team To Raja Ampat Investigate Nickel Mining Case

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) deployed a team to check the issue of nickel mining exploitation in Raja Ampat. This is because it triggers concerns about environmental ecosystem damage, including marine.

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said his party would coordinate with across ministries, such as the Ministry of Energy for Mineral Resources and Resources (ESDM) and the Ministry of Environment (LH).

"We will certainly coordinate this nickel with many ministries, there is the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Minister of Environment. But, what is certain is that we will take it in that direction," Trenggono said when met by reporters after the International Day for The Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing 2025 agenda at the KKP office, Thursday, June 5.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision (PSDKP) of the KKP Pung Nugroho Saksono or Ipunk said that his party would coordinate with related ministries/agencies to deal with the problem. On the other hand, his party has also dispatched a team to investigate further.

"Also we have sent a team there from our Polsus. So, wait for later after the examination from us too," he said.

When asked further about the condition of the sea in Raja Ampat, Ipunk explained that he was still waiting for information from the team who was checking the location.

"Actually, if it's on the coast, it's not (threatened). That, right, it's on top of it. However, our team has just not finished yet. So, we are waiting for the team to come back (to) we can convey," he said.

Previously, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia opened his voice regarding the nickel mining industry located in Southwest Papua which threatens Raja Ampat's tourism ecosystem.

Bahlil said that he would evaluate the mining business permit (IUP) to threaten tourism located west of the Papua Island Bird Head section.

"I will also evaluate later," Bahlil told the media crew, Tuesday, June 3.

In addition to conducting an evaluation, Bahlil, who claimed to have held a meeting with the relevant Director General (Dirjen), will also summon the mine owner.

"I have a meeting with my director-general. I will call the owner whether he wants BUMN or private, we really have to respect it," he said.

He suspects that there is local wisdom that has not been considered adequately in the management of the nickel mining. For this reason, he ensured that he would evaluate and summon the mine owner.

"It's possible that I see that local wisdom has not been properly touched. So, I will try to evaluate it," he explained.