The new mining bill approved by the House of Representatives, or DPR, on Dec. 16, has drawn strong reactions from industry players, who argue that the new bill, which substitutes the old contract of work system with a new permits scheme, could scare off investments in the sector. In late December, the Jakarta Globe invited six executives from the mining and energy industries to a round-table meeting to discuss the possible impact of the new mining law on investment.

The government will give holders of existing mining rights, or KPs, three options to bring their mining areas into line with the restrictions imposed by the recently enacted mining law, so as to help them avoid forfeiting their concessions if they are incapable of fully developing them. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said that one of the options for the holders of mining rights, normally small- to medium-sized miners, was to share their concessions with third parties.

The country’s hotels and restaurants are now chronically short of imported foods and beverages, with hospitality sector associations blaming a Trade Ministry regulation implemented in November that requires strict import-inspection labeling, or ML, on foreign food products. The shortages are set to worsen next month, however, when the ministry begins limiting foreign food shipments to five main ports in Indonesia, said an official from a retail organization.