The granting of mining business permits (IUP) from the government to religious mass organizations has had its pros and cons. Executive Secretary of the Commission for Justice and Peace, priestal Affairs for Migrant Migrants (KKPMP) of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI) Marthen LP Jenarut, SFil, SH, MH, suspects that this gift has political overtones. KWI itself, he said, refused to grant an IUP because they wanted to stick to their existing duties so far.
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The government, through the Minister of Investment or Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia, announced that religious community organizations (Ormas) will be given IUPs and special mining business permits (IUPK) for those that meet the requirements. This is the mandate of Law No. 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining which is followed by PP No. 25 of 2023 concerning Mining Areas. In one of the articles of this PP it is written that the government will provide IUP and IUPK to religious mass organizations.
Marthen LP Jenarut's suspicions regarding the alleged existence of shrimp behind the rock in the granting of IUPs and IUPKs are not without foundation. “Religious mass organizations are in the area of their duties in terms of spirituality and morality. This will instead be entrusted with mining affairs, which fall into the business or economic category. In practice, there is the potential for a collision with morality and ethics," he said.
Marthen LP Jenarut's suspicions increased, because until this interview was conducted on June 7 at the KWI Office, Menteng, Central Jakarta, there had been no comprehensive information from the government regarding this matter. “Suddenly religious institutions received IUP offers. My suspicions also arise, perhaps the government is taking over religious institutions and silencing their critical voices or there is retaliation against mass organizations that supported them during the last election," he said.
Even if the decision to grant IUP and IUPK will be realized, because there are already religious organizations that accept and will carry out mining exploration, he hopes that the mining business carried out will at least uphold human dignity, uphold the principle of justice, uphold the principle of solidarity, and uphold general good/welfare. "Apart from that, religious teachings must also color the mining carried out," he emphasized to Edy Suherli, Bambang Eros, and Irfan Medianto from VOI. Here is the full excerpt.
KWI, said the Executive Secretary of KKPMP KWI Marthen LP Jenarut, wants to stand straight as a religious institution, not take care of mining. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI Raga Granada VOI)
The government grants IUP and IUPK to Religious Organizations, how do you respond to this?
When I read PP No. 25 of 2023, which is an extension of Law No. 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining, in one of the articles it says that the government will provide IUP) and IUPK to religious mass organizations, I was a bit shocked and surprised.
Religious organizations have a field of work in terms of spirituality and morals. This will instead be entrusted with mining affairs, which fall into the business or economic category. Mining as a business practice definitely follows market mechanisms. In practice, there could potentially be a collision with morality and ethics.
What is KWI's attitude towards granting IUP and IUPK to Religious Mass Organizations?
KWI is a confederation of bishops throughout Indonesia. And KWI is a religious institution. The existence of KWI has been recognized since 1927, when this republic was founded, it was also recognized by the Ministry of Religion. KWI as a religious institution remains consistent in its basic values. Its affairs relate to the preaching of faith, service, including humanitarian affairs. To date, KWI remains consistent with this standard. He will not leave what has been his passion all this time.
A few days ago the Archbishop of Jakarta made a statement that he would not accept the IUP/IUPK offer, does that mean this is the basis?
That is exactly KWI's statement and attitude regarding IUP and IUPK. Jakarta Archbishop Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo said KWI would not accept IUP or IUPK. Because mining matters are not KWI's territory, it is not KWI's job. KWI as a religious institution has always been upright in its duties. KWI is consistent in its spirit.
One of the concerns that many parties have regarding the granting of IUPs to Religious Mass Organizations is the issue of competency, what is your response?
I emphasize that KWI's rejection is due to consistency, not because there are or are not human resources who can deal with mining matters. So KWI focuses on taking care of itself with the various tasks it has so far.
PBNU is one of those who received an IUP on the grounds that they need financial resources for their organization, what is your response to this?
We will not comment on the reasons why NU accepted this IUP. KWI respects NU's decision. For KWI, its religious activities are funded by the congregation. The principle of solidarity contained in church teachings is the spirit and source of funding for our organization. So it's not a question of whether you need it or not. But the church wants to be consistent in its duties all this time.
Does this mean that regarding organizational funding, the Catholic Church no longer has any problems, everything is covered by the people?
We don't see funding being an issue. Because the Catholic church is not just an institution, it is a person's communion with Jesus Christ whom he believes to be the Son of God. Therefore, what is called a church is that every Christian has an obligation to ensure that church activities can run.
The publication of the IUP and IUPK made the Executive Secretary of KKPMP KWI Marthen LP Jenarut suspicious, there were allegations that mass organizations were keeping quiet and not being critical of the government. (Photo Bambang Eros, DI Raga Granada VOI)
There are observers who say that the granting of this IUP is allegedly to silence religious organizations that are not critical of the government, there are also those who say this is retribution for their support during the campaign the other day. What do you think?
As a citizen and political community member, I also have such suspicions. The problem is that until today we have not received comprehensive information, suddenly religious institutions were offered IUPs. My suspicions also arise, perhaps the government is taking over religious institutions and silencing their critical voices. Why only now? This further strengthens the suspicion that there is something behind the granting of the IUP.
Ideally, mining is sustainable, there is environmental damage, how do you see this?
Before coming to Jakarta, I served as Chair of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Commission of Ruteng Diocese, NTT for 13 years. The issues we handle are also related to ecology, namely mining. The Diocese of Ruteng firmly rejects mineral mining activities there. Because, firstly, the welfare concept put forward when the mine was to be opened was just nonsense. The church sees injustice there.
Second, with mining, people's comfort in living a healthy and clean life is starting to be eroded. And third, the impact of this mining exploration on environmental damage is very devastating. That in the agreement before opening there was a reclamation obligation but it was not realized. That is the reason the Ruteng Diocese rejects mining.
So the issues of environmental damage, deforestation and water pollution are real?
Yes, it's real. In dialogue with the regional government, there was tension with the church. This is related to the ease with which the government can obtain permits to convert protected forests into manganese mining exploration areas. In our opinion, protected forests have a function to support human life.
Even though it is still in process, the IUP for religious organizations seems to be running, what are your hopes for mass organizations that want to take care of mining?
There are ethical and moral guidelines for Christians in carrying out actions both personally and institutionally. Whatever you do, you must first uphold human dignity. Second, upholding the principles of justice. Third, uphold the principle of solidarity. And fourth, upholding public good/welfare.
When talking about sustainable mining, the reference is in the church's teachings, of which there are four. If you want to receive an IUP, you have to follow that principle. That's my suggestion.
Regulations often change for the benefit of certain parties, why does this happen?
In my context as a legal practitioner, I see that the birth or change of a legal regulation/product is usually because of an interest. When regulations change quickly, there is almost certainly an interest behind it. It would be a shame if that interest was only for power or a few people, not for the public interest. If the change is in the public interest, it will almost certainly not invite controversy.
There are also social impacts due to mining, disputes between local communities and mining companies and indigenous communities who have lost land and traditional sources of livelihood, how to overcome these problems?
I take the example of my experience in the Diocese of Ruteng. The issue of mining also brings social problems. Mining divides the public, there are those who are for and those who are against. This creates the potential for division. Mining also disturbs indigenous communities. When one of the figures disagrees, a new traditional figure is formed who becomes a "puppet". This happens because it is related to the use of customary land. Protected forests are damaged, social life is also in disarray
Mining has positive and negative sides, for example, in the Ruteng Diocese, which side is dominant?
The positive impact is invisible. What is seen is injustice. The Church is called to act in view of this situation.
What are your hopes for mass organizations that receive IUPs to manage their mines well?
Yes, you have to run mining with these four principles. Upholding human dignity, upholding the principles of justice, upholding the principles of solidarity, and upholding the general good/welfare.
So you have to run your mining business well. Don't be like the common mining actors so far?
The question is, are there really good mining business actors? The mass organizations that receive this IUP must carry out the mine well according to their religious principles.
What are your hopes regarding government supervision so that mass organizations comply with sustainable mining processes, because these mass organizations are new entrants to the world of mining?
In PP No. 25 of 2023, Religious Organizations that receive an IUP must form a business entity. If the business entity is in the form of a PT, it will comply with business management. The question is to what extent this business entity can be colored by religious teachings. If I doubt it, it's because they run a profit-oriented business. The government must be observant and selective.
Because many religious organizations refuse, I think this policy needs to be evaluated again. This is what I regret, why before a regulation was made, religious mass organizations were not consulted. Dialogue is important so that the authority of a regulation is not undermined. The last example is that there is still a lot of buzz about UKT and Tapera which are making people noisy and uproar.
Marthen LP Jenarut: The priest Must Come Down from the Altar to the Market
Since he was a kid, Marthen LP Jenarut already had a dream to be a priest, hence he is happily finished his school and study until he entered Ruteng Diocese. (Photo Bambang Eros, DI Raga Granada VOI)
Because he had dreamed of becoming a priest and servant of the people since he was a child, Marthen LP Jenarut, after graduating from elementary school, went to a special school that trains students to become future priests. This dream was achieved, and after serving in Ruteng, he is now serving in Jakarta. A priest, he said, should not only take care of religious rituals, he must go down from the altar to the market.
“Since I was little, I have dreamed of becoming a priest. Because there are many in my extended family who are priests. "And becoming a priest is the dream of many children in my village," said Marthen, who has served as a priest for 27 years.
After elementary school, he entered Pius XII Kisol Seminary Middle School. Three years passed, he continued at Pius XII Kisol Seminary High School. "After graduating from high school, I continued to study Theology at the Catholic Philosophy College (STFK) Ledalero Maumere, graduating in 1997. That year I was also ordained as a Projo Imam of the Ruteng Diocese," he said.
According to Marthen, he is full of joy carrying out his studies. “I am grateful because I did not experience serious obstacles in completing my studies. Until finally I was ordained as a priest," he said.
After serving as a priest in the Ruteng District, in 2001 he received an assignment from the church to study law at Unika Atma Jaya Jakarta. “I migrated to Jakarta. Because this is my first time moving from the region to the capital city, I need to adjust to it. At that time I was the oldest student in the class, hehehe," he joked.
He was also able to complete his bachelor's degree in law smoothly with impressive results. “Then I continued my studies at the master's level in Agrarian Law at Trisakti University, Jakarta. Why Agrarian? Because the land issue is a serious matter in the Ruteng Diocese," said Marthen, who was a lecturer at FH Unika Atma Jaya while studying for his master's degree.
Diving into the Joys and Sorrows of the People
According to Marthen LP Jenarut, a priest not only handles situational affairs, but also has to listen to the joys and sorrows experienced by the people. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI Raga Granada VOI)
According to Marthen LP Jenarut, the duty of a religious figure is not only to preach and speak at the altar, but also to go out into the community. “A priest had to go down from the altar to the marketplace. This means that a priest does not just perform rituals, but must understand the ups and downs experienced by the people," he stressed.
In the Ruteng Diocese, he was very impressive because he felt the people's joys and sorrows. "That was the most impressive thing for me while serving in the Ruteng Diocese," he said.
Especially when he served as Chair of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Commission of Ruteng Diocese. He really got into the people's ups and downs and took part in the movement to defend people who were experiencing various problems.
After that, Marthen took on a new assignment in Jakarta. “At the beginning of 2024, I was asked by KWI to work at the KWI office in Jakarta. Even though I moved, the type of work I do is no different. Apart from being a priest, he also deals with issues of justice, peace, migrants, and ecological issues and climate change," he explained.
Duty in Jakarta
The church said Marthen LP Jenarut is not allergic to investment, but investment that is ethical, supports sustainability and uses new, renewable energy for a better future for the earth. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI Raga Granada VOI)
Even though he had just moved to Jakarta, Marthen LP Jenarut had no difficulty adapting. "The problem was that it was difficult when I first studied in Jakarta in 2001. Now it's not that difficult," he admitted.
He is grateful that since he wanted to go to seminary junior high school and continue on to college, he was ordained a priest in the Ruteng Diocese and now serves KWI in Jakarta with full support from his extended family. "Family support is my strength and encouragement in studying and carrying out my assignments," explained Marthen.
In his career, he no longer has ambitions. There is only one thing that concerns him now, the various problems that haunt the world. In his current position, he wants to do as much as possible. “My concern is about human trafficking practices, concerns about climate change which has an impact on social life. I have an obsession with achieving the goals of this work even though I know this is not easy. With the collaboration of various parties, hopefully we can make a little change," he said optimistically.
In line with the 2015 Paris Agreement which has been signed by many countries. "Pope Francis said that caring for the environment is not an assignment, but it has become the identity of the church. The church is not allergic to investment, but only agrees with ethical investment. The Pope asks us to support sustainable development and the use of new, renewable energy for a better future for our earth and the environment," concluded Marthen LP Jenarut.
"Because many religious organizations refuse, I think this policy needs to be evaluated again. This is what I regret, why before a regulation was made, religious mass organizations were not consulted. Dialogue is important so that the authority of a regulation is not undermined."
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
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