Members Of The House Of Representatives Ask For Nickel Mines In Raja Ampat Permanently Closed: What The World Says When 'Resident' Is Drowned Until It Is Destroyed

Minister Bahlil Lahadalia directly inspected the PT Gag Nickel mine on Gag Island, Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, Saturday (7/6/2025). BETWEEN/HO-Humas Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources/pri.

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IV of the House of Representatives Daniel Johan strongly criticized the expansion of nickel mines in the Raja Ampat area, Southwest Papua, such as Kawe Island, Gag Island, and Manuran Island.

Daniel said mining practices in Raja Ampat not only violated Law Number 1 of 2014 concerning Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands, but also endangered ecosystem resilience and the lives of local communities.

"This is not just a matter of mining companies. We ask that those who pass mining permits on small islands that are protected by law must be investigated. This is an open violation of Law Number 1 of 2014 and a tangible form of neglect of the interests of the people," said Daniel, Monday, June 9.

The Minister of Environment (LH), Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, emphasized that nickel mining activities in Raja Ampat violate the law. Especially Law (UU) Number 1 of 2014 where this rule prohibits mining activities on the island, which covers an area of less than 2,000 km2.

Meanwhile, Gag Island and Manuran Island are far from 2,000 km 2. The Ministry of Environment stated that it has overseen four nickel mining companies in Raja Ampat since late May, namely PT Gag Nickel (PT GN), PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining (PT KSM), PT Anugerah Surya Pratama (PT ASP), and PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa (PT MRP).

The four companies carried out mining activities on four islands in the Raja Ampat area, namely Gag Island which is only 30 km from the center of the Raja Ampat archipelago which is a tourist destination, Manuran Island, Batang Pele Island, and Kawe Island. The four islands are emphasized by the Ministry of Environment as protected by law.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry found non-compliance with environmental regulations and small island management. PT ASP is known to carry out mining activities on Manuran Island covering an area of 0.746 hectares without environmental management systems or running wastewater management. Warning signs have been installed by KLH/BPLH as a form of stopping activities at that location.

Meanwhile, PT Gag Nickel operates on Gag Island covering an area of 100,030.53 hectares. Manuran Island and Gag Island are included in the category of small islands protected by law. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia temporarily suspended the mining activities of PT Gag.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry will also conduct an evaluation of the Environmental Approval owned by PT ASP and PT GN. If a violation of legal provisions is found, the environmental permits of the two companies will be revoked.

PT MRP is also indicated not to have environmental documents or PPKH in its activities on Batang Pele Island. All exploration activities of this company have been stopped. Meanwhile, PT KSM was proven to have opened a five-hectare mining area outside the environmental permit and PPKH area on Kawe Island and caused sedimentation on the coast.

Related to this, Daniel urged the government to act decisively by not just stopping at evaluation. He emphasized that mining activities must be stopped as a whole considering that exploitation in Raja Ampat is very damaging to the environment and natural resources (SDA).

"Revoke the Mining Business License (IUP) so that all activities are good at this time and will come permanently closed. We know Raja Ampat is a famous tourism icon and is Indonesia's mainstay destination," he said.

"Any mining activity will certainly bring benefits to entrepreneurs and taxes for the state, but the end result is natural damage that cannot be returned as before," added Daniel.

Daniel also emphasized that local residents reject nickel mines that have a negative impact on the environment they live in, unlike those narrated otherwise in a number of content.

"The indigenous peoples and local governments reject the existence of mines in the king of Ampat. The state must look at the interests of indigenous peoples, local people are not concerned about investment which ultimately destroys nature, disrupts indigenous peoples (local) because it has an impact on the environment," he said.

Daniel said nickel mining that entered small islands had damaged marine ecosystems that were the source of life for coastal communities.

"The damage to coral reefs, water pollution to sedimentation will have an impact on decreasing fish populations and fishermen's catch. This means mining activities destroy natural resources and people's welfare," said Daniel.

"We are witnessing systematic destruction of Indonesian marine food. If this continues, we will lose the main source of protein for Eastern Indonesia and coastal areas widely," he continued.

Daniel also asked to use a broader legal reference. This is because Minister LH Hanif Fasiol stated that although Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry emphasized that mining activities with open patterns are prohibited from being carried out in protected forest areas, PT GAG and 12 other companies have special rights to carry out mining activities in Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua.

The special rights for the thirteen companies are given on the basis through Law Number 19 of 2004 concerning the Determination of Perppu Number 1 of 2004.

"But we can see that there is a novelty in the regulation, namely Law Number 1 of 2014 which prohibits mining activities on small islands such as in Raja Ampat. This means that nickel mining can't be said to be legal there. Obviously, it has violated the law," said Daniel.

This member of the House of Representatives' Environment Commission also highlighted that nickel mining activities have reportedly damaged the environment. Daniel alluded to reports of 500 hectares of natural forests and vegetation associated with mining activities on three small islands in Raja Ampat.

"We must also not forget that the Raja Ampat forest area is also an endemic animal habitat which is the main attraction of ecotourism such as the bald cenderawasih (Cicinnurus republica), which is often found in the residents' yard," he explained.

"The people of Raja Ampat are not only protectors of nature, they are also the main actors of ecotourism. Cenderawasih birds, manta rays, coral reefs, all of which are the backbone of the people's economy, not just objects of conservation. Then come the mine under the pretext of downstreaming, which actually discredits the ecosystem and local life," continued Daniel.

According to Daniel, the state must prioritize the interests of indigenous peoples and local communities, not prioritizing investment, which in turn destroys nature.

"As the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bahlil, the mining permit was issued before taking office, this is an opportunity for the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to revoke the IUP, showing partiality to the community and the environment. We ask the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to permanently revoke the IUP, not to temporarily freeze it," he explained.

Daniel also reminded Raja Ampat to be seen as an irreplaceable world paradise, and to describe the natural beauty of Indonesia which is witnessed by the world. "Exploitation that damages the environment can affect Indonesia's image in the eyes of the international community," said the PKB politician.

What is the word of the world when Raja Ampat is known as the 'semen' of the world but is even dredged to destroy its beauty. Shame on Indonesia in the eyes of the world," added Daniel.

Daniel again urged the government to close mining activities that exploit Earth Cenderawasih.

"Immediately close and check whether all environmental requirements and permits are owned, how can mines that definitely have environmental impacts be carried out on geopark sites," he concluded.