20 Indigenous Organisations in Kolaka Demand Revocation of PT Tosida Indonesia's Mining Permit
KOLAKA – Twenty indigenous organisations affiliated with the Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Tolaki Mekongga have demanded that the central government—through the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Badan Koordinasi Penanaman Modal (BKPM) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM)—immediately revoke the Mining Business Permit (IUP) held by PT Tosida Indonesia.
“These 20 indigenous organisations will continue to push the government to promptly revoke PT Tosida Indonesia’s IUP,” stated Mansiral Usman after leading a peaceful demonstration commemorating International Labour Day in front of the Kolaka DPRD office on Wednesday (7/5).
According to him, this demand is not without reason. Based on findings from the Forest Area Zoning Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH), the company has been proven to conduct business activities within forest areas without possessing a Forest Area Borrowing Permit (IPPKH). The state losses resulting from this violation are estimated to reach Rp1.2 trillion.
“We urge President Prabowo Subianto, through the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of BKPM, Rosan Perkasa Roeslan, to immediately revoke PT Tosida Indonesia’s permit. This company is suspected of harming the state and appearing to be immune to the law,” he emphasised.
Mansiral suspects that the perceived legal immunity enjoyed by PT Tosida involves rogue officials who are alleged to have received bribes. This has become even clearer following the Republic of Indonesia Attorney General’s Office designating the Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman as a suspect in the same case. Nevertheless, the company had previously claimed to possess a Work Plan and Budget (RKAB).
“The permit must be revoked immediately due to suspicions of criminal acts, administrative violations, and environmental breaches, which provide a strong legal basis. Moreover, the IUP numbered Decree 159 of 2010, covering 5,000 hectares, is only set to expire on 10 October 2027,” explained Mansiral.
He also referenced a 2022 ruling by the Kendari Corruption Court in the related case. At that time, the panel of judges acquitted three defendants from the criminal elements of PT Tosida Indonesia, despite the public prosecutor demanding 10-year prison sentences for all three. One of the defendants was the former Head of the Mining Division at the provincial level, who now serves as a Department Head.
In addition to PT Tosida Indonesia, they are also pressing the central government to revoke mining business permits for other companies that hold production permits and Clear and Clean (CnC) recommendations 6–7, yet have not conducted any mining activities at all.
“Among them are PT Bola Dunia Mandiri (BDM), PT Dharma Bumi Kolaka, and PT Dharma Bumi Kendari. They hold production permits but are not operating. Revoking these permits is the solution to ensure state assets provide maximum benefits for the state and the people of Kolaka,” stated Mansiral.
“The state must be firm. The Tolaki Mekongga indigenous community will remain at the forefront in supporting all central and local government policies for the people’s interests,” he added.
According to Mansiral, the existence of PT Tosida Indonesia’s IUP and several other business permits in the Pomalaa sub-district has had no impact on improving the local economy. On the contrary, the negative impacts felt are very real.
“What we have instead is severe environmental damage that is highly concerning. We often experience mud floods, and that is a direct impact from the mining activities there,” Mansiral concluded.