After Judge Rejected Sela Decision, OC Kaligis Affirms Residents Criminalization In Nickel Mining Dispute In East Halmahera

JAKARTA The trial of the alleged criminal act of installing stakes in the nickel mining area of East Halmahera, North Maluku, which maderuab Hafidz and Marsel Bialembang -- two employees of PT Wana Kencana Mineral (WKM) as defendants -- resumed at the Central Jakarta District Court (PN) on Wednesday, August 27.

After being delayed for more than six hours from the trial agenda at 10.00 WIB, in a trial scheduled for this interim decision, the panel of judges decided to continue this case.

"By paying attention to all objections and arguments as considerations in the main examination of the case, continuing the case until the final decision. Thus, the verdict, the case will continue," said the Chief Justice of the Panel of Judges.

After the trial, PT WKM's attorney, Otto Cornelis (OC) Kaligis, emphasized that his party was facing criminalization efforts related to land conflicts and the installation of mining road benchmarks in East Halmahera, North Maluku.

During the trial, OC Kaligis questioned the irregularities in the legal process that befell his client. He mentioned the permit to open a mine road which according to him was only 15 meters, but then expanded to 50 meters.

There are 11 witnesses who have provided information, even three of them are from our side. Surprisingly, everyone admitted that there was a road block, but it was my client who was criminalized," said Kaligis.

He also highlighted that the installation of barriers in the mining area only lasted 24 hours, but was used as the basis for criminal reports.

"My question is simple, what are the violations we committed? In fact, we have submitted a report, but why are we processing it, while other parties' violations seem to be turned a blind eye," he added.

Kaligis also mentioned the role of law enforcement officers, especially the North Maluku Police, who were considered not objective in handling this case.

According to him, there is sufficient evidence that shows the existence of criminalization practices in this case.

His party, continued Kaligis, has reported this case to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) since last week.

Kaligis hopes that the anti-corruption agency will immediately intervene to investigate allegations of irregularities in handling cases, including the potential for mining permit games and conflicts of interest behind them.

"If the KPK intervenes, the game will definitely open behind this dispute. There are strong indications of criminalization, strong people and abuse of authority behind this case," he said.

As is known, this case originated from the report of the Director of PT Position, Hari Aryanto Dharma Putra, to the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police Headquarters. He accused PT WKM's stakes of obstructing PT Position mining work.

However, the facts on the ground show that PT Position is actually carrying out illegal mining in the concession area of PT WKM in Tail Village and Sagea, South Wasile District and North Weda, East Halmahera.