Executing Prabowo's Mandate, Bahlil Prepares to Enforce Hundreds of Problematic Mining Permits
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has emphasised the certainty of resolving the regulation of hundreds of mining activities in prohibited areas, including problematic Mining Business Licences (IUPs). This is particularly in line with the mandate from the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto.
The regulation targets several mining activities operating without permits or located in areas such as protected forests, conservation zones, and nature reserves.
Through the Forest Area Regulation Task Force (Satgas PKH), Prabowo has ordered crackdowns on these violations without favouritism or tolerance for the sake of the nation’s and state’s interests. This directive was specifically given to Bahlil.
“I also just finished reporting to Mr President, in following up on Mr President’s orders during the Limited Meeting (Ratas) a while ago. Regarding the arrangement of mining licence lands within forest areas. There are in protected forests, in conservation forests, then in nature reserves, and some IUPs within forest areas,” said Bahlil at the State Palace in Jakarta, quoted on Friday (17/4/2026).
Bahlil reported that the evaluation of mining regulation and problematic IUPs showed positive results. The evaluation of mining activities violating regulations is also said to have proceeded according to the given directives.
“I also reported to Mr President earlier, because I was given one week. One week means it’s already one week, last week and this week. I have reported and, God willing, the results are also good, and I have received technical guidance to immediately carry out further execution,” he explained.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto ordered Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to regulate hundreds of unclear Mining Business Licences (IUPs). This was due to reports of illegal mining in protected forest areas.
He asked Bahlil to immediately conduct a comprehensive evaluation of mining permits indicated to violate rules. He emphasised that the government would not hesitate to revoke permits for companies that do not meet legal requirements to secure national interests.
“I have also ordered the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, I received reports of hundreds of unclear mines or unclear IUPs in protected forests and forests,” he stated during the Government Working Meeting at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
“I checked with the Forestry Minister, I checked, oh thank God the Forestry Minister is okay too, he hasn’t given logging permits or IPPKH, thank God,” he added.
Prabowo gave Bahlil a one-week deadline to complete the evaluation report. The aim is to ensure all problematic IUPs are revoked and returned to the state.
“Immediately evaluate, if unclear, revoke all those IUPs, revoke all of them, we no longer have time to be too sympathetic, no sympathy now,” he asserted.
In addition, Prabowo also ensured no exceptions or defence of certain group interests in the mining permit regulation process.
“We only defend national interests and the people’s interests. Friends’ interests, associates’ interests, family interests, group interests, what number are they? Evaluate immediately, report back to me in how many days,” he stressed.