Prabowo orders Bahlil to immediately crack down on illegal mining in forests
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has ordered the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, to immediately crack down on illegal mining operations in Indonesia’s forest areas.
The directive was issued by the President after the ESDM Minister provided a report on the evaluation of several illegal mining business permits (IUP) operating in forest areas, including protected forests.
“There are in protected forests, in conservation forests, in nature reserves, and several IUPs within forest areas; we have also reported this to the President, as I was given one week. One week means last week and this week,” said Bahlil after meeting the President at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday (16/4).
During the Government Working Meeting at the Palace in Jakarta last Wednesday (8/4), President Prabowo gave the ESDM Minister one week to re-evaluate several IUPs believed to be illegal, as many of the mining lands operate in forest areas, including protected forests.
“I have reported (to the President), and insyaallah the results are also good, and I have received technical instructions to immediately carry out further execution,” Bahlil stated.
“With more disciplined and measured IUP arrangements, the government affirms that the management of natural resources must prioritise the interests of the nation, be sustainable, and provide the greatest benefits for the Indonesian people,” according to the official statement from the Presidential Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia.
In last week’s Government Working Meeting, President Prabowo highlighted the existence of hundreds of mining permits suspected to be illegal.
“So, there are several hundred of these. The ESDM Minister should immediately evaluate! If it’s not clear, revoke them all! We no longer have time to be too merciful; there is no mercy now. We are only defending national interests and the interests of the people,” said President Prabowo during the Government Working Meeting at the Palace last week.