Complaints At Jokowi Picu Islamic Boarding School Give Mining Permits To Religious Organizations

President Joko Widodo released the first export of Hoka shoes to the United States on Friday, in the Integrated Industrial Zone (KIT) Batang, Central Java (26/7/2024). (ANTARA/HO-Biro Press of the Presidential Secretariat RI)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo revealed the reasons behind the government granting mining management permits to religious community organizations (ormas).

Jokowi said that the granting of mining business permits (IUP) to religious organizations was intended for economic equity.

He said that he received a lot of complaints because he only gave mining concession permits to large companies during visits and dialogues at Islamic boarding schools (ponpes).

"Many complained to me 'Sir, why are the mines only given to big ones? Big companies? Even if we are given concessions, how come!' when I came to the boarding school, I had a dialogue at the mosque," Jokowi told reporters after inaugurating the Batang Integrated Industrial Zone (KITB) quoted on Saturday, July 27.

Jokowi said the complaint was then the reason the government gave mining concessions to religious organizations.

However, he emphasized that the management of the mine was not managed by religious organizations but by business entities owned and formed by these organizations.

"But not the mass organizations. Business entities in mass organizations are both cooperatives and PT and CV. So we don't want to appoint or encourage religious organizations to submit it. Endak. If you are interested, there is a desire, the regulations already exist. that's all," concluded Jokowi.

Previously, 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 concerning 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.

For your information, the government has prepared 6 lands for the former Coal Mining Concession Work Agreement (PKP2B) to be managed by religious community organizations (ormas) as stated in PP number 25 of 2024.

The mining land consists of former PKP2B PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC), PT Arutmin Indonesia, PT Kendilo Coal Indonesia, PT Adaro Energy Tbk, PT Multi Harapan Utama (MAU), and PT Kideco Jaya Agung.