New Facts Of Alleged Illegal Mining That Lose The State

JAKARTA - The nickel mining dispute trial between PT Wana Kencana Mineral (WKM) and PT Position gave rise to new facts. The PT WKM legal team accused PT Position of illegal mining which was estimated to cost the state around US$95 thousand or equivalent to Rp. 1.5 billion (exchange rate of Rp. 16,400 per US dollar).

"This finding is reinforced by a report on the Law Enforcement Sector (Gakkum) of the Ministry of Forestry. The alleged illegal mining is very clear," said PT WKM lawyer, Rolas Sitinjak in a statement received in Jakarta, Thursday, September 18.

According to Rolas, the loss arose because PT Position allegedly dug nickel ore in an area belonging to PT WKM that was not entered by a mining business permit (IUP). The witness testimony at the trial strengthened the suspicion. Mining roads, said Rolas, were widened by up to 80 100 meters along more than 1 kilometer, with a depth of 1015 meters. How come the road is wide and deep. According to Gakkum it's illegal mining," he said.

A senior lawyer for OC Kaligis added that nickel mining activities on PT WKM's land were carried out without permission. "Entering someone else's land without a kulonuwun, without permission," he said.

It is known that the nickel dispute in East Halmahera, North Maluku has become hotter since PT Position reported two employees of PT WKM, Badminton Hafidz and Marsel Bialembang, to the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Police. Both are now defendants. OC Kaligis assessed that there was an attempt to criminalize it.

"The installation of barriers is only 24 hours. We have submitted a report, but why did we process it, while the violation of other parties seemed to be closed," said OC Kaligis, last Thursday (28/8/2025).

Kaligis also assessed that investigators were unprofessional and reported this case to the KPK. He asked the KPK to investigate allegations of irregularities, including potential mining permits and conflicts of interest. If the KPK intervenes, the game will definitely open behind this dispute. There are strong indications of criminalization, strong people, and abuse of authority," he said.