4 IUP Mining Raja Ampat Revoked, President Prabowo-Minister Bahlil Called Listening To Community Aspirations

JAKARTA - President Prabowo's decision is considered very appropriate by revoking the Mining Business License (IUP) for four mines in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua. Moreover, the mining issue has become a public concern.

This was conveyed by a young national figure who is also the General Chair of the 2013 '2015 Islamic Student Association (PB HMI) Executive Board, Arief Rosyid Hasan. According to him, President Prabowo listened to the aspirations of the people.

"This means that Pak Prabowo heard the aspirations of the people. Once this issue was discussed, even the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bahlil, immediately went to the field to see firsthand what really happened there. I really appreciate this," said Arief when contacted, Tuesday, June 10.

The revocation of the IUP was the right decision, considering that the four mining companies were proven to have violated the environment, this was based on reports from the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Environment.

"The four mines whose permits have been revoked are located in the geopark or Raja Ampat tourist area, so the permit has been correct because they must protect the sustainability of marine biota and conservation areas with high biodiversity," said Arief.

Not only President Prabowo, Arief also appreciated the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia who was always present in the midst of society, especially in polemics in Raja Ampat. He assessed that Bahlil was an official figure who could quickly accelerate Prabowo's order to immediately resolve existing problems, especially related to energy and mineral resources.

"Mr. Bahlil's presence is also proof of the government's presence in dealing with problems concretely, not just from behind the table, so I think Pak Prabowo's target regarding self-sufficiency in energy in Asta Cita will definitely be realized by Mr. Bahlil with his hard work," he said.

Arief further added, regarding the permit of PT Gag Nickel, which is a subsidiary of BUMN Antam to continue operating in Raja Ampat, it is considered that it will provide economic leverage for local residents. He also advised the public not to be easily consumed by the many hoax news on social media related to natural damage in Raja Ampat.

"As Mr. Bahlil said, Gag Island is very far from geoparks. Coupled with exploration with special supervision from the government as stated by Mr. Bahlil so that this mine is very safe, and most importantly taking sides with the community there, especially in the context of fair and sustainable development in the Land of Papua," said Arief.

It is known, the government decided to revoke the Mining Business License (IUP) for four mines in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua. This was decided directly after President Prabowo Subianto summoned several of his ministers to the Palace, such as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni and Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi.

The four companies whose IUPs were revoked include PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa, and PT Nurham. Meanwhile, the permit for a nickel contract owned by PT Gag Nickel, which is a subsidiary of BUMN Antam, was not revoked by the government.

"And yesterday the President chaired a limited meeting, one of which discussed mining business permits in Raja Ampat. On the President's instructions, he decided that the government would revoke mining permits in four companies in Raja Ampat. Then we Ratas and also from the (Ministry) of Environment also conveyed that in the implementation of the four companies there were violations in the environmental context," said Bahlil Lahadalia at the Presidential Office, Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, June 10.

Bahlil also said the four mines whose permits were revoked were located in the Raja Ampat geopark or tourist area. The permits of these four companies were issued prior to the implementation of the Raja Ampat Geopark.

"In our opinion, this area must be protected by looking at the sustainability of marine biota. These permits are given before geoparks occur. Meanwhile, the President wants to make Raja Ampat a world tourism," he said.