The Regional Secretary For Leaking The NTB Prosecutor's Office Checks The East Lombok Regent Regarding The Iron Sand Mining Permit In The Dedalpak Block

The High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati) of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). (Between)

East Lombok Regent HM Sukiman Azmy has just been questioned by the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati). Sukiman was one of the witnesses examined in the case of alleged corruption in the iron sand mining business in the Dedalpak Block.

East Lombok Regional Secretary (Sekda) M. Juani Taufik said Sukiman was being investigated by the NTB Prosecutor's Office regarding his role in the iron sand mining licensing process with an area of 1,348 hectares.

"His position (the Regent, ed) was asked as a witness regarding how he played a role in the licensing process. And until it was clear," said Taufik in Mataram, Friday, February 17, quoted by Antara.

He said Sukiman's fulfillment of the summons for examination by the NTB Prosecutor's Office was part of the duties of a public official.

Taufik also emphasized that the licensing capacity for iron sand mines in the Dedalpak Block has the authority to be in non-district provinces.

"The problem is how the level of licensing is. Regarding the issue (permitting, ed) is outside his policies and capacity, especially since the permit authority is in the province," said Taufik.

Taufik said Sukiman had left a message to the ranks of the East Lombok Regency Government to cooperate with law enforcers who were investigating allegations of corruption in the iron sand mine Block Dedalpak.

"This is still at the level of licensing implementation. If the policy has a formulation stage and implementation stage. Well, the information we received is at the level of policy implementation," he said, quoted by Antara.

When asked about the steps to be taken by the East Lombok Regency Government regarding the Mining Business Permit (IUP) of PT Anugerah Mitra Graha (AMG), the Regional Secretary stated that the full authority lies with the NTB Provincial Government.

However, Taufik emphasized, the summons and examination of the Regent of HM Sukiman Azmy by the prosecutor's investigation team did not interfere with the running of the government in East Lombok Regency.

"Usually, as the regent said, calling is part of the task," he said.

Previously, the Regent of East Lombok, M. Sukiman Azmy, underwent an examination before the NTB High Prosecutor's Special Crime Investigator related to the alleged corruption case in the iron sand mining activity in the Dedalpak Block with a land area of 1,348 hectares.

Sukiman Azmy confirmed that he gave testimony as a witness to the case in front of a special criminal investigation prosecutor. "Yes, the rest ask the prosecutor," said Sukiman.

Likewise, regarding the Decree of the Regent of East Lombok Number: 2821/503/PPT.II/2011 concerning Approval to Improve Mining Business Permits (IUP) Exploration into IUP Operations for Production of Equipment of Iron Sand and Mineral Followers in Dedalpak Block, Pringgabaya District and Labuhan Haji District, East Lombok Regency to PT Anugerah Mitra Graha (AMG), Sukiman refused to provide an explanation.

The decree number: 2821/503/PPT.II/2011 was issued when M. Sukiman Azmy served as Regent of East Lombok for the period 2008-2013.

In a letter statement, the Regent of East Lombok issued a decision to increase the IUP for Exploration into a Production Operation for Iron Sand and Mineral Followers in the Dedalpak Block for PT AMG based on a request from the main director of PT AMG.

The East Lombok Regent in the decree approved the increase in the IUP for PT AMG based on the results of an evaluation stating that exploration activities had met the requirements.

On the basis of this decree, PT AMG conducts mining activities and processing processes using the "magnetic separation" system, namely the process of separating valuable minerals with motorized minerals with the principle of magnetic attraction.

In addition to PT AMG, PT Varia Usaha Beton (VUB) appeared who also processed the "stone crusher" (stone crusher) in North Pringgabaya Village, Pringgabaya District. PT VUB carried out its business activities on the 1,348 hectare land with a Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK) capital for Processing.

However, from the results of the monitoring and evaluation of the NTB Energy and Mineral Resources Service (ESDM) in 2021, the mining activity permits from the two companies have expired since the issuance of permits were no longer under the authority of the East Lombok Regency Government in 2016.

With this transfer of authority, it was also suspected that PT AMG was carrying out mining business activities without a permit.