20 Indigenous Organisations in Kolaka Demand Revocation of PT Tosida's Mining Business Permit
Twenty indigenous organisations united under the Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Tolaki Mekongga have demanded that the central government, through the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), immediately revoke the Mining Business Permit (IUP) of PT Tosida Indonesia.
“These 20 indigenous organisations will continue to push the government to promptly revoke the IUP of PT Tosida Indonesia,” said Mansiral Usman after holding a peaceful demonstration in commemoration of International Labour Day (7/5) in front of the Kolaka Regency DPRD office.
According to him, the demand for revocation is not without reason; findings from the Forest Area Regulation Task Force (Satgas PKH) revealed activities within forest areas conducted by PT Tosida Indonesia without a Forest Area Borrowing Permit (IPPKH), resulting in state losses of Rp1.2 trillion.
“President Prabowo Subianto, through the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, should immediately revoke the IUP of PT Tosida Indonesia, which is suspected of harming the state and being immune to the law,” he stated.
Mansiral suspects that PT Tosida Indonesia’s immunity to the law involves officials who are alleged to have been bribed. This is evidenced by the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) of the Republic of Indonesia designating the Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman as a suspect in this case. Moreover, PT Tosida Indonesia claims to have an RKAB (Work Plan and Budget).
“It must be revoked immediately due to suspicions of criminal acts, administrative violations, and environmental breaches that provide legal grounds. Moreover, the IUP with number Decree 159 of 2010, covering 5,000 hectares, is set to expire on 10 October 2027,” Mansiral explained.
In 2022, the Kendari Corruption Court in the same case acquitted three defendants from PT Tosida Indonesia; at the time, they had been demanded 10 years in prison, one of whom was the former Head of Mining Division of the Province who is now the Head of the Department.
In addition to PT Tosida Indonesia, Mansiral continued, they are also urging the central government to revoke IUPs that do not conduct mining activities despite holding production permits and possessing Clear and Clean (CnC) recommendations 6-7.
“PT Bola Dunia Mandiri (BDM), PT Dharma Bumi Kolaka, and PT Dharma Bumi Kendari are holders of production IUPs that are not operational. Thus, revoking the IUPs would provide benefits to the state and the people of Kolaka,” Mansiral stated.
The state must be strong; the Tolaki Mekongga indigenous community will remain at the forefront in supporting all central and local government policies for the interests of the people.
“The presence of the IUP of PT Tosida Indonesia and several IUPs in Pomalaa Subdistrict does not contribute to improving the local economy. What exists is concerning environmental damage caused by frequent mud floods,” Mansiral clarified.