NGOs file for review of mining law

JAKARTA: An alliance of non-governmental organizations appealed to the Supreme Court on Thursday to review a new government regulation that allows mining in protected forests.

The Indonesian Environment Forum (Walhi), Forest Watch Indonesia, Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) and Natural Resources Law Institute (Ihsa) are among the applicants.

Harry Alexander of Ihsa, accompanied by Walhi executive director Longgena Ginting, said the regulation allowed firms to carry out open-pit mining in protected forest, thus violating prevailing laws.

The regulation also shifted the authority to approve the utilization of forest for strategic needs from the House of Representatives to the president, he said.

Any lower rulings must not add, reduce, or modify the content of higher regulations, he said. --JP