NGOs up pressure on forest mining<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has vowed
\nto continue its campaign against 13 mining firms that have been
\nallowed to resume open-pit mining in protected forests, upon a
\ncontroversial government regulation in lieu of law (Perpu)
\nendorsed by the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
The coalition alleged the House made the decision in response
\nto pressure from foreign governments, and that several government
\nofficials and legislators had taken bribes to further the
\ninterests of certain parties.<\/p>\n
Longgena Ginting, executive director of the Indonesian Forum
\nfor the Environment (Walhi), told The Jakarta Post on Friday that
\naside from taking legal recourse against the regulation, the
\ncoalition would also mobilize local communities to disrupt the
\nfirms' operation \"in order to protect the forest and the local
\nenvironment\".<\/p>\n
The coalition is to file a complaint with the Constitutional
\nCourt, the State Administrative Court and the District Court in
\nan effort to have the regulation annulled.<\/p>\n
The House voted 131 against 102 during a plenary meeting on
\nThursday in favor of enacting Government Regulation in Lieu of
\nLaw No. 1\/2004, which allows 13 mining firms to resume operations
\nin protected forests.<\/p>\n
Government Decree No. 41\/2004 was issued in May to facilitate
\nthe then-pending regulation, as the government deemed the
\nconcerned firms serious in their threats to take their cases to
\nthe international arbitration court.<\/p>\n
At least 150 mining firms were obliged to stop operations over
\nthe past few years following the 1999 Forestry Law, which bans
\nopen-pit mining in protected forests.<\/p>\n
Longgena said the government's hand was forced primarily by
\npressure from the Australian government, which held 12 closed-
\ndoor meetings with high-ranking officials before the regulation
\nwas issued in March.<\/p>\n
\"The government and legislators have sold out,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Australian Embassy spokesperson Elizabeth O'Neill told the
\nPost that several meetings between Australian and Indonesian
\nrepresentatives had indeed taken place, but dismissed the
\nallegation that they were not transparent.<\/p>\n
She said Australia had been concerned for some time about the
\nimpact of the 1999 Forestry Law on Australian mining firms
\noperating in the country, as many of them had signed contracts
\nwith the government prior to 1999 to develop mineral resources
\nand had already made significant investments.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Longgena also said the coalition suspected several
\nlegislators of taking bribes prior to the start of the House
\nplenary session to vote on the regulation, when several State
\nSecretariat officials had been seen lobbying the legislators.<\/p>\n
\"We haven't any strong evidence yet. But it is suspicious,
\nbecause some legislators who strongly opposed the regulation
\nduring the House special committee meeting ended up approving it
\nat the last minute,\" said Longgena.<\/p>\n
As previously reported, the majority of legislators on a
\nspecial committee tasked with deliberating the regulation had
\nstrongly opposed the regulation and pledged to reject it during
\nthe plenary session.<\/p>\n
Deputy State Secretary Erman Radjagukguk denied his office had
\narranged any bribes to procure legislators' votes.<\/p>\n
\"This matter does not concern us. You should ask the relevant
\nministries over the allegation,\" said Erman, indicating the
\nMinistry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of
\nForestry.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, director general of geological and mineral
\nresources Simon Sembiring told the Post the regulation was
\nexpected to spur new investment of about US$17 billion for the
\nnext three years, not only in the mining sector, but also in
\nother areas.<\/p>\n
The country would also enjoy benefits in annual revenue of
\nabout $400 million drawn from taxes and royalties, he added.<\/p>\n
I-box<\/p>\n
Major shareholders of 13 mining firms
\naffected by Perpu (as of November 2003)<\/p>\n
Name Shares (%)<\/p>\n
PT Freeport Indonesia<\/p>\n
- Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold 81.28<\/p>\n
- Indonesian government 9.36<\/p>\n
- PT Indocopper Investama Corp 9.36<\/p>\n
PT Karimun Granite<\/p>\n
- PT Pendawa Sempurna 77.75<\/p>\n
- PT Tatawahana Dutapersada 17.25<\/p>\n
- PT Gitamakmur Sentosa 20.16<\/p>\n
PT INCO<\/p>\n
- Inco Limited 58.70<\/p>\n
- Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Ltd 20.10<\/p>\n
PT Indominco Mandiri<\/p>\n
- Heidelberg Cement AG 61.70<\/p>\n
- Indonesian government 16.90<\/p>\n
- PT Mekar Perkasa 13.50<\/p>\n
PT Aneka Tambang (Antam)<\/p>\n
Buli and Bahubulu concessions<\/p>\n
- Indonesian government 65.00<\/p>\n
PT Natarang Mining<\/p>\n
- Taweti Lampung Sumatera Ltd 70.00<\/p>\n
- Base 15.00<\/p>\n
- PT Liwa Krui 15.00<\/p>\n
PT Nusa Halmahera Mineral<\/p>\n
- Newcrest Holdings Pty Ltd 82.50<\/p>\n
- Antam 17.50<\/p>\n
PT Pelsart Tambang Kencana<\/p>\n
- Pelsart International 85.00<\/p>\n
- Antam 15.00<\/p>\n
PT Interex Sacra Raya<\/p>\n
- Frans Nongka 59.20<\/p>\n
- Ani Jubaidah 15.00<\/p>\n
- Rinny Tinggogoy 14.00<\/p>\n
PT Weda Bay Nickel<\/p>\n
- Strand Minerals Pte Ltd 90.00<\/p>\n
- Antam 10.00<\/p>\n
PT Gag Nikel<\/p>\n
- BHP Asia Pacific Nickel Pty Ltd 75.00<\/p>\n
- Antam 25.00<\/p>\n
Sorikmas Mining<\/p>\n
- Aberfoyle Pungkut Investment 75.00<\/p>\n
- Antam 25.00<\/p>\n
Source: House of Representatives<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ngos-up-pressure-on-forest-mining-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }