Executing Prabowo's Directive, Bahlil to Swiftly Crack Down on Mining in Protected Forests
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, has assured that his ministry will eradicate illegal mining operations within protected forest areas, conservation forests, or nature reserves, in line with President Prabowo’s directive during the government performance meeting on 7 April 2026.
He even claimed to have already mapped out the locations slated for execution, although he declined to specify the exact sites or the total area of land targeted for action.
“The President only gave a one-week timeframe, so in the near future, I will execute it because the mapping is already done,” said Bahlil at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Jakarta on Friday, 17 April 2026.
“As for the total, we will announce the number of areas that will undergo adjustment,” he stated.
Beyond illegal mines, Bahlil will also evaluate mining activities in forest areas lacking borrow-use permits for forest areas (IPPKH), as well as permits that cannot be converted in accordance with regulations.
“This includes those in forest areas without IPPKH permits and permits that cannot be converted,” he said.
It is known that previously, Bahlil had been instructed by President Prabowo to address illegal mining operations that harm the state.
During the briefing at the Government Performance Meeting for members of the Red and White Cabinet at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, Prabowo mentioned receiving reports of hundreds of unclear illegal mines in protected forests and other forested areas, and planned to verify this with the Ministry of Forestry.
“I also instructed the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources; I received reports of hundreds of unclear mines, unclear IUPs in protected forests and forests. I’ll check with the Forestry Minister; the Forestry Minister is okay too. He hasn’t issued wood-cutting permits yet,” said Prabowo.
He promptly asked Bahlil to evaluate those mines, or even revoke their business permits. Prabowo emphasised that the current government will not show mercy, prioritising the interests of the people.
“So there are several hundred of them. The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources should immediately evaluate; if unclear, revoke all those IUPs. We don’t have time to be too merciful now. We defend national and public interests. The interests of friends, cronies, family—that comes last,” he stated.