Jambi Cultural Agency Investigates Coal Stockpile Permits Near Muarajambi National Cultural Heritage Site

“We are tracing the permits of companies operating within the core zone, working with the Jambi Provincial spatial planning and licensing authorities as well as the Muaro Jambi Regency licensing office,” said Novie Hari Putranto, a junior cultural officer at the Jambi Cultural Preservation Office, in Jambi City on Wednesday.

According to him, of the several companies operating along the Batanghari River near the heritage area, there are strong indications that some fall within the core zone.

The core zone in question is defined under Decree of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Number 135/M/2023 on the Zoning System of the Muarajambi National-Ranked Cultural Conservation Area.

The decree establishes the zoning system for the national-ranked Muarajambi heritage area, comprising a core zone, a buffer zone and a development zone, covering 3,981 hectares of the KCBN Muarajambi.

Novie added that, based on field monitoring, the coal stockpile that caused public concern is located very close to the Teluk 1 Temple, Teluk 2 Temple, Pelayangan Temple and Manapo Istano sites. These sites are situated in Taman Rajo Subdistrict, Muaro Jambi Regency.

Jambi Governor Al Haris affirmed that he is awaiting a decision from the Ministry of Culture regarding the division of zones within the KCBN Muarajambi area, as the heritage site is a fully Ministry-owned asset.

“I am still waiting for that, because this is already the authority of the Ministry of Culture as the owner of the temple assets. Nothing at all is allowed in the core zone; the buffer zone may still be used, as long as it does not harm the environment — that is the essence,” Al Haris said briefly.

Previously, the presence of the coal stockpile came to light after several students raised complaints during the Vice President’s working visit to Jambi last week (16 July).

Residents said the stockpile near the temple area is feared to generate dust that could potentially damage the preservation of the historic site.

In response to the complaints, the Vice President asked for the matter to be followed up promptly, requesting the relevant authorities to look into the reports submitted by the students.

“We will follow this up,” the Vice President said.