Prabowo Says Jokowi Gives Mining Permit For PBNU, PKB Politician: What Mine, Where Is The Location?

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Lukas

Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto explained that President Joko Widodo gave mining business permits (IUP) to former private business entities to the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU).

The statement was made when Prabowo answered questions at the Joint Discussion of Representatives for Kiai Kampung throughout Indonesia in Malang, East Java, last Saturday, November 18.

Initially, Prabowo discussed the pesantren endowment fund as a government program for the Jokowi era. He called the program a 'fishing' or stimulus in advancing pesantren.

The Gerindra chairman also discussed other 'fishing' given by the government to community organizations (ormas).

"Pak Jokowi's government has revoked 2,600 mining permits from the private sector and has been granted, first to PBNU. That's the fishing line that will be divided," said Prabowo.

Deputy Chairperson of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Jazilul Fawaid admitted that he was surprised by Prabowo's statement that Jokowi gave PBNU an IUP. He considered Prabowo's statement to have the potential to damage PBNU's credibility.

"How can Prabowo say that the permit that was revoked was then immediately given by the president to PBNU, isn't there a mechanism for granting a permit? Don't just talk because it damages the credibility of PBNU which seems to get permission without a regulatory mechanism," said Jazilul.

Jazilul also urged Prabowo to show evidence that PBNU obtained a mining permit. This needs to be done by Prabowo to prevent slander against the largest Islamic mass organization in Indonesia.

"So that it doesn't become slander, try showing proof that PBNU has a mining permit, what mining and where the mine is," said Jazilul.

Lebih dari itu, Jazilul mengimbau Prabowo hati-hati dalam membuat pernyataan terhadap PBNU. Dia khawatir pernyataan itu membuat citra PBNU menjadi negatif.

"Please don't just talk as if PBNU has received a share. This needs to be clarified so that later it doesn't become slander, thought by NU's structure and sympathizers below, their leadership gets something but it's not transparent. This is damaging to the organization. Don't tarnish the good name of PBNU," he said.

President Jokowi previously planned to provide a mining concession to NU. He mentioned the statement in his opening speech at the NU Congress at the Darussa'adah Islamic Boarding School, Lampung, December 22, 2021. Jokowi admitted that he was impressed with potential young NU cadres. He believes they can become the locomotive of development.

Concession can be given in the form of a holding coordinated by PBNU to accommodate the great potential of organizations in providing benefits for society, religion, nation and state.

"I offer a young one to make a forum for PT or business groups and the government, I prepare it. If I'm ready, I'll prepare a concession. Whether it's a concession, it's up to you to use agricultural land, please, I'll also prepare a mineral and coal concession. For example, coal, bauxite, copper suitcase business, please," Jokowi said at the time.