Aspebindo Requests Complete Investigation of Alleged Smuggling of Millions of Tons of Nickel to China

Nickel illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Association of Indonesian Energy and Coal Suppliers (Aspebindo) asked law enforcement to thoroughly investigate allegations of illegal smuggling of millions of tons of nickel ore sent to China.

Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Energy and Coal Suppliers (Aspebindo) Anggawira said the practice of illegally sending nickel ore to China was not only detrimental to the state, but also detrimental to industry players who obeyed government regulations.

"We ask law enforcement officials, including the Corruption Eradication Committee, to investigate and thoroughly investigate these kinds of dishonest practices," said Anggawira in a written statement, Saturday, July 1.

The government itself has banned the export of raw nickel abroad since January 2020, in accordance with the mandate of the Mineral and Coal Law (Minerba) number 4 of 2009.

"We, as players in the mineral and coal industry, fully support the government's policy regarding the prohibition of raw mineral exports in order to add value added. And this smuggling, especially in the very large amount of 5 million tons, must be investigated whether there is a practice of 'flirting' between businessmen and other government agencies. Millions of tonnes is not a small amount," said the man who also serves as Secretary General of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) BPP.

Anggawira asked for a thorough investigation and all parties proven guilty should be given the appropriate punishment.

"This has hurt the spirit of downstreaming, which is President Joko Widodo's big dream," said Anggawira again.

Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that it was investigating the alleged smuggling of 5 million tons of nickel ore illegally sent from Indonesia to China. This activity is thought to have taken place from 2020 to 2022, and cost the state tens of trillions of rupiah.