Formation Of Illegal Mining Task Force Waits For Presidential Decree

President Jokowi (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) through Plt. Director General of Mineral and Coal (Dirjen Minerba) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (Ret.) Bambang Suswantono said the establishment of a Law Enforcement Task Force (Gakkum) for illegal mining is still waiting for the decision of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.

Bambang said that his party was still waiting for the head of state to sign the Presidential Decree (Keppres).

"We are still waiting for it. Yes, waiting for the Presidential Decree or whatever to go down, not yet (formed)," said Bambang when met at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Building, Monday, December 11.

He added that the draft for the Gakkum Task Force team had been prepared by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polhukam) and his party was just waiting for President Joko Widodo's approval.

Bambang hopes that with the completion of the draft, the Gakkum Task Force can soon be formed in a close crew.

"It should be (immediate). It's already month 12. Hopefully it will be (formed) soon," he said.

Just so you know, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources proposes at least four Gakum Task Force teams, namely the task force team that handles illegal mining by leading the Ditjen Minerba sector, the task force team that handles illegal oil drilling practices by leading the Ditjen Migas sector, the subsidized fuel abuse task force team which is the leading sector of BPH Migas, and the task force team that handles violations of electricity theft law which is the leading sector of the Directorate General of GatrikKhusus for the proposed Gakum Task Force in the mineral and coal sector, based on the results of the mapping, there have been PETI identifications in 2,741 Locations, of which 1,215 locations have been designated as People's Mining Areas (WPR).

"There is a need for a special approach and guidance to curb mining practices without permission carried out by the local community," said Bambang.

The proactive attitude of local governments is also needed in fighting for the mining of the people. This is because the Governor himself submitted the WPR to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources by considering recommendations and suitability of spatial planning, environmental carrying capacity, and the capacity of activities. Then evaluated by Bappeda, the PUPR Service, and the Environment Agency. The WPR must also meet the criteria mentioned in Article 22 of Law 3 of 2020.