Ahmad Luthfi Challenges Backers of Rogue Miners in Central Java

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SEMARANG – Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi stated that he will take action against mining entrepreneurs operating in Central Java if they ignore environmental conservation or preservation. The former Central Java police chief admitted he is not afraid to confront the backers of rogue mining entrepreneurs.

Luthfi has asked the Energy and Mineral Resources Office and regents/mayors across Central Java to properly monitor mining activities in their respective areas, starting from the permitting process.

“The permits in our area related to mining must be properly regulated. Starting from the permitting process, for example, when an entrepreneur wants to conduct mining, before the IUP and IUPK are issued, they must provide a post-mining guarantee and reclamation. Once the permit letter, the IUP, is issued, they must use the funds for conservation and so on,” said Luthfi after attending a tree-planting event for the conservation and reclamation of andesite stone mining in Kandangan Village, Bawen Subdistrict, Semarang Regency, on Wednesday (13/5/2026).

According to Luthfi, these provisions must be fulfilled by mining entrepreneurs as part of preserving the natural environment. He said he has ordered the Central Java Energy and Mineral Resources Office to actively conduct monitoring.

To enforce these rules, Luthfi admitted to collaborating with National Police Headquarters and the Central Java Police. “Even in the Klaten area, we have carried out criminal actions, in Magelang there are criminal cases, in Kendal there are, in Pati there are too; we have enforced the law against six of them for violating the provisions,” he said.

“I don’t care who is behind them. Why? Because in the future, if we don’t regulate this, Central Java Province must become a pioneer in economic growth but must not violate environmental conservation,” added Luthfi.

He asked regents/mayors in Central Java to also monitor mining activities. “I emphasise to the Energy and Mineral Resources Office, regents, mayors, deputies, and the Forkopimda, to really conduct monitoring, then carry out regulation, and further orderliness, prioritising the preservation of the environment,” he said.