ICW Finds Alleged Mining Mafia In South Sumatra, Observers Ask KPK To Immediately Investigate

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The mining mafia is currently in the public spotlight. Moreover, several illegal coal mines are suspected of distributing it to government-owned power plants.

According to the latest findings from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), there are a number of mines that produce low-quality coal that are suspected of being sent to PLTU (Steam Power Plant) Sumsel I. As a result, many people around the area are affected by ARI (acute respiratory infection).

Based on ICW data, PLTU Sumsel 1 is located in Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra.

“The smoke from the steam power plant (PLTU) is indeed deadly. It contains a number of toxic compounds that can cause disease. Asthma, acute respiratory infections, and lung cancer are a number of them, compounds that threaten the lives of citizens," ICW wrote in its report, quoted Friday, April 29.

In addition to the surrounding community being served polluted air, their source of livelihood is also disturbed by the presence of the PLTU. They no longer find fertile farmland or clean seas.

“This is partly because the land has been turned into a power plant location and the coal spill has polluted seawater. As a result, farming or harvesting fish is no longer their choice of life," the ICW report said.

In response to this problem, Trisakti University Criminal Law Observer Abdul Fickar Hadjar asked law enforcement officials from the National Police, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to the Attorney General's Office to intervene.

"All law enforcers need to be deployed and law enforcement officers must also be processed in court," Fickar said in his statement to reporters.

According to him, all crimes, including the mining mafia, in addition to violating the law, are also detrimental to the country's economy.

"Because they take the mining products without paying taxes and levies to the state or government," he said.

In relation to ICW's findings, Fickar assessed that every thing that harms the country's economy must be addressed.

"Every factor that causes losses to the country's economy, including the mining mafia, must be addressed and put in order, so that it does not interfere with the investment climate in this country," he said.