Bahlil Wants To 'Brush' Illegal Mining That Loses People

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia (photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia emphasized that he would take firm action against mining industry players who violate mining rules, especially if they cause losses in the community.

This affirmation was conveyed by Bahlil after visiting victims affected by the hydrometeorological disaster in Pelembayan District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra, last Wednesday, December 3.

"As Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, I would like to emphasize that I will not indiscriminately bring this to the Director General of Mineral and Coal, to take action for all companies engaged in mining, which do not comply with or do not comply according to existing regulations. must comply with the standard mining process that has been required in the regulations," Bahlil said in a statement to the media, Thursday, December 4.

Bahlil also promised to solve illegal mining problems and revoke mining permits that did not run according to applicable regulations.

Not only that, Bahlil ordered the Director General of Mineral and Coal to immediately evaluate mining permits and take firm action against business entities that act outside the corridor they should.

"If we get in their evaluation they violate, are not orderly, then we will not hesitate to take action in accordance with applicable regulations. I assure you once again, for mining if someone does not comply with mining rules and standards, I will not hesitate to withdraw," he said.

Strict action for mining business actors who are reluctant to carry out mining activities according to good mining rules is in line with President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to take firm action against illegal mining practices in the country.

Bahlil explained that the President's instructions regarding illegal mining enforcement were clear guidelines for all levels of government and law enforcement officials.

"Thus, there is no longer any reason to doubt or fear in eradicating illegal mining networks from upstream to downstream, in order to maintain the sovereignty of natural resources," he said.

Strict action has been taken by the Forest Area Control Task Force (PKH Task Force) and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to become its members in upholding sovereignty over natural resources (SDA) in the Forest Area (PKH Task Force) by reinforcing millions of hectares of the country's forest area which have been illegally utilized.

Just so you know, until now, the total area of forest areas that have been re-controlled by the PKH Task Force has reached 3,312,022.75 hectares (ha) of which 915,206.46 ha have been handed over to the relevant ministries. The details, 833,413.46 ha have been allocated to PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara (Persero) for productive management, while 81,793.00 ha have been returned as conservation areas at Tesso Nilo National Park, Riau. The remaining 2,398,816.29 ha, are still in the administrative process and are immediately handed over to the relevant ministries.

This task force also targets controlling 4.2 million hectares of illegal mining so that the benefits return to the people. With a firm legal approach and cross-institutional support, the PKH Task Force ensures that forests as assets of the nation are managed for the benefit of the state and society.