Bahlil: We Can Get The Economy, But We Must Protect The Environment

Chairman of the Golkar Party Bahlil Lahadalia (central) at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, Tuesday, August 20, 2024. (ANTARA PHOTO-ASPRILLA DWI ADHA)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Golkar Party as well as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, emphasized the government's commitment to improving national mining governance.

Bahlil highlighted the two main pillars of improvement, namely controlling unproductive business licenses and the obligation to preserve the environment for the future.

He revealed that decisive steps have been taken by his ministry in reorganizing this sector, one of which is by revoking hundreds of Mining Business Permits (IUP) which are considered problematic or not operating properly.

Bahlil highlighted the fact that many of these permits were controlled by companies based at the center, without having a significant impact on producing areas.

"As Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, we have amended the Minerba Law. Now, Mr. Chairman of the DPD, I revoked many of the mining permits yesterday. And most of the mining companies have offices in Jakarta," Bahlil said in his direction at the Regional Conference (Musda) III of the North Kalimantan Golkar Party DPD, Sunday, November 30, through a written statement Monday, December 1.

In addition to administrative control, Bahlil emphasized that improving governance cannot be separated from the ecological sustainability aspect. Armed with his experience as a former entrepreneur who has been involved in the mining and perkayuan sector, he understands very well the dynamics in the field.

However, as a state official, he reminded that exploitation of natural resources does not sacrifice nature blindly.

"In managing mining, we must have an environmental perspective. We must no longer leave a dark history for our children and grandchildren," he said.

Bahlil realizes that the implementation of strict environmental standards will certainly create new dynamics and challenges for business actors. However, he asked all parties to accept these consequences as an absolute choice to preserve nature. Economic growth and investment remain targets, but must not eliminate ecological responsibility.

"In the future, based on experience that is not good, we have to improve it. We can get the economy, but we must protect the environment. All of this is part of our efforts to pass something better on to our children and grandchildren," Bahlil added.

On the other hand, improving governance also includes aspects of social justice for regional entrepreneurs. Bahlil said that complicated old mechanisms often make it difficult for local entrepreneurs to get legal access, while central entrepreneurs with strong networks dominate more.

This has triggered economic inequality in areas rich in natural resources.

"If we don't change this, until chickens grow teeth, social justice will be difficult for us to realize. On the basis of my experience as a former regional entrepreneur who feels the pain of struggling in Jakarta, circling, being asked for terms A, requirements B, requirements C, how difficult it is," he said.

As a concrete step to improve mining governance, Bahlil reported that under President Prabowo Subianto's approval, the government had completed the revision of regulations, including laws, Government Regulations (PP), to Ministerial Regulations. This new regulation provides priority routes for Cooperatives, MSMEs, and Regional Owned Enterprises (BUMD) to obtain mining management permits without having to go through a burdensome tender mechanism.

At the end of his speech, Bahlil emphasized that this affirmative policy was a form of real partiality to the regions. Despite reaping pros and cons, he believes this step is the best way to care for nationalism and economic justice.

"When I proposed this, many did not like it. Because they are not local people who feel the hearts of local people. I am sure that ladies and gentlemen, those who can understand the feelings of the regions are those who are formed and processed from the regions," said Bahlil.