Komnas HAM Immediately Summons KLHK Regarding The Gold Mining Case In The Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi

Archives - Hundreds of youths rallied in the courtyard of the Sangihe Regent's house against the operation of PT Tambang Mas Sangihe (TMS), Thursday (28/10). ANTARA/Jerusalem Mendalora)

JAKARTA - Komnas HAM immediately summoned ministries and institutions related to the gold mining case in the Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi (Sulut). The parties who will be summoned are the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and other ministries/agencies.

"In addition, a summons will be carried out for PT TMS as the party to the complaint," said Komnas HAM Ahmad Taufan Damanik, quoted by Antara, Monday, March 28.

Previously, Komnas HAM received direct complaints through hearings and additional written information from the Sangihe Islands community who are members of the Save Sangihe Island community regarding the rejection of the gold mining plan in the Sangihe Islands by PT Tambang Mas Sangihe (TMS).

The rejection of the gold mining plan was based on the concerns of the people of the Sangihe Archipelago over the threat of environmental damage and pollution on Sangihe Island, which is one of Indonesia's foremost archipelagic groups.

Taufan Damanik explained that Komnas HAM had summoned the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in order to request information regarding the rejection of the PT TMS gold mine in October 2021.

According to him, Komnas HAM has carried out a number of field monitoring by requesting information, deepening information, and hearing opinions from residents in the PT TMS mining concession area.

His party has also asked for information from the Sangihe Regency Government (Pemkab). Through information from the Sangihe Regency Government, Komnas HAM received information that the Sangihe Regency Government rejected the PT TMS mining plan on the grounds that it was against the laws and regulations.

In addition, the Sangihe Regency Government also assessed that the mining of PT TMS was not in accordance with the Sangihe Islands Regency's 2017-2022 Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD).

"Komnas HAM also asked for information from the North Sulawesi Provincial Government," he said.

Through a request for information to the North Sulawesi Provincial Government (Pemprov), Komnas HAM found that the authority of the central government and the North Sulawesi Provincial Government could not terminate the PT TMS Mining Business Permit (IUP), because it was based on a contract of work.

In addition to summoning relevant ministries and institutions, Komnas HAM will also request information from the North Sulawesi Police regarding the security and public order situation as well as preventing potential violence and law enforcement against mining permit violations.