House of Representatives Urges Attorney General to Thoroughly Investigate PT AKT Illegal Mining Corruption

Members of Commission XIII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Bias Layar, have urged law enforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate the case of alleged corruption in the coal mining operations without a permit operated by PT Asmin Koalindo Tuhup (AKT).

According to him, the illegal mining activities that took place from 2017 to 2025 have caused significant losses to the state, as well as impacting the environment and surrounding communities.

“Moreover, illegal mining companies also have no responsibility towards the environment. This will certainly harm the communities around the mining site,” Bias stated in his comments in Jakarta on Thursday (9/4).

He assessed that the long duration of the illegal mining operations reflects serious crimes in the form of plundering of natural resources (SDA), environmental damage, and forest encroachment that impacts indigenous communities around the mining area.

Bias also emphasised the importance of professionalism and transparency from law enforcement in handling this case to its conclusion.

He also urged the public and local governments in Central Kalimantan to actively report unlicensed mining activities.

“Cases like this must not happen again,” he stressed.

Previously, the Attorney General’s Office had searched the offices of the Harbourmaster and Port Authority (KSOP) in South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan related to alleged corruption in the management of PT AKT’s mining operations.

Director of Investigation at the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes of the Attorney General’s Office, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, confirmed the searches.

“True, (searches) in South Kalimantan (Banjar Regency) and Central Kalimantan (Palangkaraya),” Syarief said when contacted.

He explained that the searches were conducted on Tuesday (31/3) and investigators seized several pieces of evidence, including shipping documents and electronic evidence.

In this case, the Attorney General’s Office has named one suspect with initials ST, namely Samin Tan, as the beneficial owner or manager of PT AKT.

PT AKT itself is known to have had its permit revoked since 2017. However, the company continued to operate illegally until 2025.

Through PT AKT and its affiliates, the suspect is alleged to have carried out mining and coal sales activities using invalid permit documents and collaborating with state officials.

This case has drawn attention because it is seen to reflect weak supervision and the significant potential for state losses due to illegal mining practices that occurred over a long period.