Responding To Mass Organizations Rejecting Mining Manage, Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources: Will Be Auctioned

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources wisely Tasrif (photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif opened his voice regarding religious community organizations (ormas) that refuse and will not apply for mining processing permits to the government.

It is known that the government has provided 6 mining sites for the former Coal Mining Concession Work Agreement (PKP2B) which will later be managed by mass organizations.

Arifin said that if later there were no proposals for management by mass organizations, the land would be returned to the state. He also mentioned that there is an opportunity for the government to conduct an open auction so that the land in question can be managed by the private sector.

"Yes, back to the country, we apply it according to the existing regulations, it can be auctioned," Arifin told the media when met at the Directorate General of Oil and Gas Building, Friday, June 7.

Arifin said that the provision of mining business permits (IUP) to mass organizations was an effort by the government to support the activities of the organization concerned.

"So that they have a financial source that can support religious activities such as worship, education, and health problems. It is only given to six mass organizations," he continued.

After the IUP is given, mass organizations that have the right to IUP must manage mines within the next five years.

Previously, religious organizations such as the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI) emphasized that they would not accept the government's offer to provide opportunities for community organizations (ormas) to manage mines that are contained in PP 25/2024.

The Secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission, Migrant and Partau and the Integrity of the KWI, Marthen Jenarut, said that as a religious institution, KWI's affairs and roles are only related to the duties of service simplicity, reporters, worship and the spirit of Christianity.

"In the context of the state's offer that religious institutions will be given or become holders of WIUP/IUP, KWI behaves preferential and consistent attitudes as religious institutions that carry out journalists and services in order to realize a dignified joint living system," he said when contacted by VOI, Wednesday, June 5.