Environmental Organisation Optimistic Government Will Resolve Illegal Mining Cases

The environmental organisation Perkumpulan Kaoem Telapak is optimistic that the government can thoroughly investigate illegal mining practices in Indonesia, targeting the main actors or financiers behind these ecologically damaging activities. A campaigner for the group, Abil, stated in Jakarta on Friday that the government must use all its legal instruments to identify the intellectual actors behind unlicensed mining in various regions, including the tin mining cases in Bangka Belitung highlighted by President Prabowo Subianto in his state address. “It is impossible for the TNI and Polri not to know about the existence of these illegal mines. Those who must be investigated are the actors and masterminds behind these mines, arrest and prosecute them,” Abil said. He stressed the importance of law enforcement using a follow the money approach to dismantle the networks that profit most from the illegal extractive business. Based on past experience, he noted that legal action against illegal mining has only scratched the surface, stopping at field operators without addressing the root of the problem. Consequently, once the issue subsides, the extractive activities resume. This correlates with environmental damage and increases the potential for ecological disasters. The crackdown on illegal mining was specifically highlighted by President Prabowo Subianto during his state address at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives and the Regional Representatives Council in Jakarta. The President stated, “I speak on behalf of the Indonesian people, the people’s representatives are all here,” and demanded that the TNI and Polri investigate the matter. He asserted that he would not tolerate inaction by officials and called on the leadership of the TNI and Polri to take firm action against any members involved, emphasising that his policies are determined by the interests of the people. “I ask the TNI Commander and the National Police Chief to seriously investigate. It is impossible for a thousand illegal mines to operate without the involvement of police and military officials,” the head of state stressed.