PROJAMIN Southeast Sulawesi Alleges Authorities Turning Blind Eye to Illegal Mining in Former EKU II Permit Area in North Konawe
NORTH KONAWE — The Regional Executive Board (DPW) of Pro Jokowi-Ma'ruf Indonesia (PROJAMIN) Southeast Sulawesi has highlighted alleged negligence by the Southeast Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati) regarding illegal mining activities in the former Mining Business Permit (IUP) area of EKU II, Langgikima District, North Konawe Regency.
DPW PROJAMIN Southeast Sulawesi Chairman Hendryawan stressed that the mining permit for the area had been revoked based on an official decision by the Ministry of Investment/BKPM. He therefore maintained that no mining activities of any kind should be taking place in the area.
"There is no reason for law enforcement authorities, in this case the Southeast Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office, not to take action. The strong suspicion that illegal mining activities continue in the former EKU II permit area constitutes defiance of the law," Hendryawan asserted.
He noted that the Morombo Block area, particularly the former EKU II permit zone, had become a regular target for mining syndicates who openly conduct unlawful activities. According to him, this was not an isolated incident but had occurred repeatedly without decisive action being taken.
Beyond the High Prosecutor's Office, Hendryawan also questioned the performance of the Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (BPPHLHK), which he deemed inadequate in carrying out supervision and enforcement.
"We seriously doubt the supervisory function of BPPHLHK. We also believe there has been negligence on the part of local village authorities, such as Sarimukti Village and several other villages within the former EKU II permit area," he said.
PROJAMIN Southeast Sulawesi also assessed that violations had occurred under Law Number 4 of 2009 on Minerals and Coal, particularly Article 158, which stipulates that any person conducting mining without a permit may face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rp10 billion.
"We suspect many parties are involved in this web of illegal mining activity. If law enforcement does not take decisive action, there are grounds to suspect collusion between authorities and illegal miners," Hendryawan stated.
A viral video on social media, posted on Facebook under the account name Kuping Sul-tra, has also surfaced naming several individuals by their initials — H, A, and AA — who are strongly suspected of involvement in illegal mining activities in the former EKU II permit area. The emergence of this video reinforces suspicions that the illegal mining operations are being conducted in an organised manner involving multiple parties.
In response, PROJAMIN Southeast Sulawesi has urged law enforcement to immediately follow up on the information circulating publicly and to take action against anyone proven to be involved, without exception.
A planned protest rally originally scheduled for 3 June 2025 by PROJAMIN Southeast Sulawesi has been postponed for further preparation and will be held after Eid al-Adha the following week.
DPW PROJAMIN Southeast Sulawesi Chairman Hendryawan stressed that the mining permit for the area had been revoked based on an official decision by the Ministry of Investment/BKPM. He therefore maintained that no mining activities of any kind should be taking place in the area.
"There is no reason for law enforcement authorities, in this case the Southeast Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office, not to take action. The strong suspicion that illegal mining activities continue in the former EKU II permit area constitutes defiance of the law," Hendryawan asserted.
He noted that the Morombo Block area, particularly the former EKU II permit zone, had become a regular target for mining syndicates who openly conduct unlawful activities. According to him, this was not an isolated incident but had occurred repeatedly without decisive action being taken.
Beyond the High Prosecutor's Office, Hendryawan also questioned the performance of the Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (BPPHLHK), which he deemed inadequate in carrying out supervision and enforcement.
"We seriously doubt the supervisory function of BPPHLHK. We also believe there has been negligence on the part of local village authorities, such as Sarimukti Village and several other villages within the former EKU II permit area," he said.
PROJAMIN Southeast Sulawesi also assessed that violations had occurred under Law Number 4 of 2009 on Minerals and Coal, particularly Article 158, which stipulates that any person conducting mining without a permit may face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rp10 billion.
"We suspect many parties are involved in this web of illegal mining activity. If law enforcement does not take decisive action, there are grounds to suspect collusion between authorities and illegal miners," Hendryawan stated.
A viral video on social media, posted on Facebook under the account name Kuping Sul-tra, has also surfaced naming several individuals by their initials — H, A, and AA — who are strongly suspected of involvement in illegal mining activities in the former EKU II permit area. The emergence of this video reinforces suspicions that the illegal mining operations are being conducted in an organised manner involving multiple parties.
In response, PROJAMIN Southeast Sulawesi has urged law enforcement to immediately follow up on the information circulating publicly and to take action against anyone proven to be involved, without exception.
A planned protest rally originally scheduled for 3 June 2025 by PROJAMIN Southeast Sulawesi has been postponed for further preparation and will be held after Eid al-Adha the following week.