Environmental Organisation Optimistic Government Will Resolve Illegal Mining Cases
The environmental organisation Perkumpulan Kaoem Telapak is optimistic that the government is capable of thoroughly investigating illegal mining practices in Indonesia, including targeting the main actors or financiers behind activities that trigger ecological disasters and damage.
Kaoem Telapak Forest Campaigner, Abil, in Jakarta on Friday, stated that the government, with all its legal instruments, must be able to identify the intellectual actors behind unlicensed mining activities in various regions, including the tin mining case in Bangka Belitung which was mentioned 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. What needs to be examined is who the actors and masterminds are behind these mines; arrest and prosecute them,” said Abil.
He emphasised the importance of law enforcement officials applying a follow-the-money approach to dismantle the networks that reap the greatest profits from illegal mining businesses.
Based on extensive experience, he noted that the handling of illegal mining cases so far has not touched the root of the problem because legal action often stops at field operators or henchmen, so that when the issue subsides, extractive activities resume. This condition correlates with environmental damage and increases the potential for ecological disasters, not just state losses.
“Illegal mining cases only stop at the operators or field perpetrators, and do not reach the intellectual actors or those who benefit the most,” he said.
The crackdown on illegal mining activities has become a focus of President Prabowo Subianto, who specifically addressed it in his State Address at the Annual Session of the MPR RI and the Joint Session of the DPR RI and DPD RI in 2026 at the MPR/DPR/DPD RI Building, Jakarta, on Friday.
“The National Police Chief and the TNI Commander must investigate. What is the point of the state giving them rank and position if they cannot bring order to this? I speak on behalf of the Indonesian people; all the people’s representatives are here,” said the president.
The president stressed that he will not tolerate negligence by officials and urged TNI and Polri leaders to take firm action against members involved, in order to defend the interests of the people and the state.
“I am aware that I have taken an oath here. I cannot allow my feelings to determine my policies. I must determine my policies based on the interests of the Indonesian people. Therefore, I truly ask the TNI Commander and the National Police Chief to investigate. It is impossible for a thousand mines to operate illegally without the involvement of police officials and police officers,” the head of state asserted.