MITI Asks The Government To Take Firm Action On Nickel Mines That Damage The Raja Ampat Environment

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia visited one of the mines in Raja Ampat. (Doc ESDM)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Scientist and Technologist (MITI) community coach Mulyanto asked the government to take firm action against nickel mines that are suspected of damaging the environment in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua.

"Strict action is taken against all mining companies that pollute the Raja Ampat marine environment," Mulyanto said in a statement received in Jakarta as reported by Antara, Monday, June 9.

He asked the government not only to focus on the PT Gag Nickel mine, but also to take firm action against other nickel mines that are not licensed and damage the environment in Raja Ampat.

"What was shocked and reported by the community was mainly mining that was close to the tourist attraction. Don't turn it around or give it favoritism," he said.

He also reminded that the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Raja Ampat archipelago has become a world-recognized tourism icon so that its sustainability needs to be maintained.

"Natural wealth must be maintained and inherited, as a fair attitude towards future generations of children and grandchildren," he said.

He considered that the mining companies forgot or were inconsistent in the paradigmaenvironment social governance (ESG) as an extension of the concept of good corporate governance (GCG).

Should have used this paradigm, he said, the orientation of mining companies should not only be on corporate short-term profits, but must be sustainable.

"This means that the attention of mining companies to the environment and the social conditions of the community around mining is the main thing," he said.

To that end, he stressed that the government must intervene immediately to protect its citizens and the environment by stopping the potential for environmental pollution from the mining business operation.

"Do not let cases appear often, where the community instead benefits from mining operations, but instead becomes the party who is always harmed by the mining business in their area," said the member of Commission VII DPR RI 2019-2024.

Previously, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia decided to temporarily suspend nickel mining operations from PT GAG Nickel in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua. "For the time being, we will stop the operation until field verification," Bahlil said at a press conference at the Office of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Jakarta, Thursday, June 5.