3 Steps From The Ministry Of Tourism To Face The Condition Of Raja Ampat Which Was Crushed By Nickel Mine

Raja Ampat (Doc. Kemenpar)

The Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) has taken a number of strategic steps to ensure that the Raja Ampat area remains protected as an effort to deal with the national issue of #saverajatapat. The importance of balance between economy and ecology is also emphasized in development, especially tourism.

"We want any development, including tourism, to maintain a balance between ecology, social territory, and the economic scale," said Minister of Tourism Widiyanti.

To preserve the Raja Ampat area, the Ministry of Tourism has taken a number of concrete steps, including;

1. Visits and Dialogues of the DPR with the Community

The Ministry of Tourism together with members of the DPR-RI made a direct visit to Raja Ampat, West Papua, from May 28 to June 1, 2025. This visit was carried out to absorb the aspirations of the people, especially indigenous peoples.

During the visit, the public expressed their rejection of the plan to grant a new mining permit. They emphasized that Raja Ampat's ecosystem and identity must be maintained as a tourist area, not an extractive industrial area.

As a result of the visit, Commission VII of the DPR is committed to bringing aspirations regarding environmental pollution due to nickel mining to the DPR RI. In addition, Commission VII of the DPR also requested an evaluation of mining permits by the central government as an effort to preserve the Raja Ampat ecosystem.

2. Coordination Meeting with the Provincial Government of Southwest Papua

Minister of Tourism Widiyanti received a visit from the Governor of Southwest Papua, Elisa Kambu, on Wednesday (4/6/2025). During the meeting, both the Ministry of Tourism and the Governor of Southwest Papua were committed to maintaining Raja Ampat's ecology.

The local government emphasized that the Raja Ampat region remains directed as a marine conservation area, UNESCO geopark, and Indonesia's leading tourism destination, without being compromised by mining activities.

3. Cross-Sector Strategic Coordination

The Ministry of Tourism also held a cross-sector coordination meeting on Thursday (5/6/2025), to strengthen long-term protection measures against Raja Ampat. One of the main initiatives being studied is to encourage Raja Ampat to focus on quality tourism, by prioritizing sustainable tourism and green investment, which is in favor of the community and the environment.

Tourism development in Raja Ampat requires the main foundation, in the form of environmental sustainability and the welfare of local communities. In the development of the Raja Ampat area in the future, all policy directions will be guided by the principles of sustainability, social justice, and ecosystem resilience.