Police Difficulty Investigating The Identity Of Chinese Foreigners Involved In Illegal Mining In Sekotong

The archive of illegal gold mining photos allegedly managed by Chinese foreigners in the PT Indotan IUP area in the Sekotong area, West Lombok, NTB, Friday (4/10/2024). (ANTARA/HO-KPK)

MATARAM - West Lombok Resort Police, West Nusa Tenggara, admitted that it was difficult to trace the identity of foreign nationals (WNA) of China who were suspected of being involved in illegal gold mining activities in the Sekotong area.

"We have difficulty getting the identity of this Chinese foreigner. We have asked for passport data and photos at the Mataram Immigration, but so far it has not been given," said West Lombok Police Satreskrim Head AKP Abisatya Dharma Wiryatmaja as reported by ANTARA, Friday, October 11.

He said, in initial coordination with the immigration authorities, his party had received data from a number of foreigners suspected of being involved in illegal gold mining activities in the Sekotong area. The foreigner data is still only a name. Not only from China, but also from Taiwan.

The Immigration Office has confirmed the names of foreigners suspected of being involved in gold mining have investor visas.

However, the police stated that the data, which was only in the form of the name, was not sufficient to be used as material for investigation.

Therefore, investigators asked for complete data from immigration in the form of passports and photos from foreigners.

"Besides the name, we need his passport and photo. So that we can show the witness whether they are carrying out illegal mining or not," he said.

However, Abisatya admitted that until now there has been no further confirmation from the Immigration of Mataram.

"About two or three weeks ago, we again wrote asking for answers to our letter asking for the identity of foreigners (passports and photos). However, until now there has been no answer," he said.

The police have examined 12 people. Most of them are residents of the mining ring in Sekotong.

According to residents, the illegal gold mining activity that employs foreigners has been going on since eight months ago.

Apart from examining witnesses, investigators also explored the role of this illegal gold mining investor. Including the origins of mercury, cyanide, and gold mining facilities that were revealed to come from China.

"So, the key is in this Chinese foreigner," said Abisatya.