Gus Yahya Seeks Finance Ministry Guidance on NU Mining Cooperative

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The executive board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) has requested direction from Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa regarding the establishment of the Bangkit Usaha Mandiri Nusantara Mining Producers Cooperative (KPBUMN), as a follow-up to government provisions concerning mining concessions for religious mass organisations.

“What we hope for is direction from the Finance Ministry, because there are many matters that must all comply with the state financial regime. And we need guidance from the Finance Ministry so that we don’t make mistakes,” said PBNU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf on the sidelines of an audience with Finance Minister Purbaya at the PBNU Central Office in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Gus Yahya, as he is familiarly known, said such direction is needed so that everything PBNU undertakes in managing the mining concession is on target and in accordance with the provisions set by the state.

“Our primary expectation from the Finance Ministry is guidance on all of these matters. As for the concrete projects, that will of course involve cooperation with other ministries,” he said.

Regarding the mining concession, Gus Yahya said PBNU is collaborating with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to ensure it proceeds smoothly. “But to build the overall structure, especially matters concerning finance and funding, we certainly very much hope for direction from the Finance Ministry,” he continued.

Gus Yahya also revealed that his side is open to collaborating with the Indonesian government on other programmes. “As with the Ministry of Health recently, we agreed to cooperate on implementing the free health check programme, as well as the water, health and sanitation programme at Islamic boarding schools, and so on,” said Gus Yahya.