Official Terbit Rules, Religious Organizations Have Mining Manpower Rights

Illustration (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo officially signed a Government Regulation that allows religious community organizations (ormas) to manage the Special Mining Business Permit Area (WIUPK).

This provision is stated in PP number 25 of 2024 regarding amendments to Government Regulation (PP) Number 96 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Mineral and Coal Mining Business Activities which were signed on May 30.

The rules related to the management of WIUPK by mass organizations are listed in Article 83A which states, (1) in order to improve community welfare, WIUPK can be made a priority offer to Business Entities owned by religious community organizations.

The WIUPK as referred to in paragraph (1) is an area of the former Coal Mining Concession Work Agreement (PKP2B).

"The IUPK and/or share ownership of religious community organizations in Business Entities as referred to in paragraph (1) cannot be transferred and/or transferred without the Minister's approval," reads Article (3) quoted on Friday, May 31.

Meanwhile, Article 4 states that the share ownership of religious community organizations in business entities must be majority and be controlling.

Then Article 5 states that business entities are prohibited from collaborating with previous PKP2B holders and/or their affiliates.

Then paragraph 6 states that WIUPK's offer as referred to in paragraph (1) applies within a period of 5 (five) years since this Government Regulation applies.

"Further provisions regarding WIUPK's priority offer to Business Entities belonging to religious community organizations as referred to in paragraph (1) are regulated in Presidential Regulation," reads paragraph 7.

Previously, the Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia, said that the reason for giving this IUP was because religious organizations had services to liberate the Indonesian people. Therefore, according to Bahlil, mass organizations should be given appreciation for all their contributions to the state. One of them is with a permit to work on mines.

"The logic is like this, you guys have a heart, NU Muhammadiyah, church leaders, Hindu temples. When Indonesia was not yet independent, who freed this nation?," he told reporters met at the Office of the Ministry of Investment, Jakarta, written Tuesday, April 30.

According to Bahlil, religious leaders and religious organizations play a major role when the state faces problems, and also before Indonesia achieves independence.

"During the 1948 military aggression, who made the jihad fatwa? Conglomerate? Companies? Those who make religious figures. Why aren't we happy if the state is here to help them? But how come someone is happy if the investors we continue to give," he said.