Bareskrim And Three Ministries Join In Investigating Allegations Of Crime Behind Raja Ampat Mining

The Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police has begun investigating alleged criminal violations behind mining activities taking place in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua.

The Director of Certain Crimes (Dittipidter) of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police, Brigadier General Nunung Syaifuddin, said the investigation was carried out with several related ministries.

"Yes, that's right, we will carry out a joint investigation," Nunung told VOI, Wednesday, June 11.

There are at least three ministries involved in the investigation, namely the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut), the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

It is said that the focus of the investigation is aimed at four companies whose Mining Permits (IUP) have been revoked by the government. The four are PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Nurham, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa, and PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining.

"Meanwhile (the investigation to the company) has been revoked," he said.

Regarding the alleged violations investigated, Nunung did not explain in detail. However, it is stated that there is an obligation to reclamation the environment and mining activities.

"There are rules for reclamation, there is an obligation for entrepreneurs to provide reclamation guarantees," said Nunung.

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.