The critical voice of a number of DPR members on the issue of nickel mining in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, is considered to have contributed to the government's quick move to revoke the mining business license (IUP) of 4 companies in the conservation area.
Political communication analyst Silvanus Alvin said the people's representatives' firm statement on the issue of Save Raja Ampat which was widely highlighted by the public shows the real role of parliament in ensuring the accountability of the government and business actors. Alvin also assessed that Alvin reflected the supervisory function that was carried out seriously, especially in strategic environmental issues.
"The critical attitude towards policies that damage the environment reflects the function of supervision that is carried out seriously and is finally responded to quickly by the Government", said Alvin, Tuesday, June 10.
As is known, the Government at the direction of President Prabowo Subianto revoked the IUP of 4 companies in Raja Ampat Regency. The government revoked the problematic mining permit after a lot of protests about exploitation in Raja Ampat which had a negative impact on the environment, and disrupted the prosperity of the local people.
The names of the four companies whose permits were revoked were PT Anugerah Surya Pratama (ASP), PT Nurham, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa and PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining.
PT ASP is a foreign investment company from China whose mine location is located on Manura Island, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa with a mine site on Batang Pele Island and Manyaifun Island, as well as PT Nurham which is located on the island of Yesner Waigeo Timur. The four companies have their permits revoked for environmental violations, including because some of their mining areas have entered the geopark area.
Alvin is of the view that the loud noises that arise from parliament also encourage the revocation of nickel mining permits in the conservation area. According to him, without any critical voices from the DPR, the government did not follow up on the issue quickly.
"Without pressure from the DPR who are on the side of the people, it is unlikely that this issue will be followed up as soon as possible. The control function of parliament is clearly a balancer in democracy," said the lecturer at one of the private universities.
"Hard statements from the DPR play a major role in urging the government to revoke mining permits that are not in accordance with environmental protection principles," continued Alvin.
Alvin said that every policy must pay attention to ecological sustainability and the welfare of the community, where the DPR can be a driving force to create policies that continue to pay attention to nature's sustainability.
"The DPR must be able to become a motor for the implementation of policies and implementation of sustainability with a pattern of 3P: People, Planet and Profit. Do not let a business harm the people and their place of residence," said Alvin.
"This means that ecological sustainability and the welfare of indigenous peoples must be the main focus," he added.
Alvin also highlighted the statement of a member of the DPR from the Papuan electoral district, Yan Mandenas, who revealed that the nickel mine in Raja Ampat was rejected by the local community. Yan said that the nickel mine on Gag Island, Raja Ampat, had long been rejected by local residents, including indigenous peoples who had customary rights.
In addition, Commission IV member Daniel Johan emphasized that nickel mines in Raja Ampat are damaging to nature and must be stopped as a whole.
"In fact, the firm statement from the Papuan electoral council member Yan Mandenas deserves appreciation and needs to be encouraged to investigate irregularities in the issuance of the mining business license," said Alvin.
The loud voice of a number of members of the DPR is also seen as a concrete form that the parliament is pro-people and protects nature. Including a reminder from Member of Commission VI of the DPR, Mufti Anam, who asked the Government to learn from the case in Raja Ampat not to give mining permits recklessly.
Alvin also agreed with Mufti Anam's statement asking the Government to be consistent with the decision to revoke the problematic mining permit in Raja Ampat and not just as a temporary maneuver.
"Here, the involvement of the DPR is pro-people and pro-environment", he said.
According to Alvin, the DPR's critical attitude towards mining in Raja Ampat is part of the moral responsibility to maintain environmental heritage for the future. This is considered to be an added value to show a commitment to protecting the environment in the eyes of the world.
"With the DPR actively responding to reports of environmental damage in Raja Ampat, one of Indonesia's leading tourist destinations. This shows awareness of the importance of national branding in the eyes of the world and the commitment to safeguarding the country's strategic assets," concluded Alvin.
Previously, a member of the DPR from the Papuan electoral district, Yan Mandenas, stated that the nickel mining company in Raja Ampat had been operating without receiving support from the community. However, there was omission from the previous government.
"However, what happened was omission by the previous government, both central and regional, until this problem surfaced after protests from environmental activists," said Mandenas.
From an environmental perspective, Member of Commission IV DPR Daniel Johan emphasized that the expansion of nickel mines in the Raja Ampat area, Southwest Papua, such as Kawe Island, Gag Island, and Manuran Island violated Law no. 1 of 2014 concerning Management of Coastal and Small Islands.
Daniel also asked the Government to investigate the permit-giving process. This is because nickel mines damage the environment and harm the lives of local people.
"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 no. 1 of 2014 and a tangible form of neglect of the interests of the people," said Daniel, Monday, June 9.
"The indigenous people 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 continued.
Meanwhile, Member of Commission VI DPR RI Mufti Anam asked the Government to evaluate the IUP issuance system so that mining activities do not violate the rules like what happened in Raja Ampat.
"The incident in Raja Ampat can be a lesson for the Government not to recklessly issue mining permits. Do not let the Government become a mining broker," said Mufti Anam, Tuesday, June 10.
Mufti also asked for the consistency of the Government's firmness regarding the mining issue. "This problem is crowded not without reason. The government must also listen to people who have been harmed by mining activities in Raja Ampat so far," he explained.
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Mufti ensured that the DPR RI would continue to oversee this issue, and asked that there be no compromise on mining permits that violate the rules and damage nature and interfere with the welfare of the people.
"We will monitor it. Do not let the public spotlight subside, mining activities continue again as if there were no problems. The closure of the mine in Raja Ampat should not only be a temporary maneuver," concluded Mufti.
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