PT PMM Denies Non-Cooperation Claims, Rejects Unauthorised Seal Opening to Uphold Legal Procedures

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Legal counsel for PT Putraprima Mineral Mandiri (PMM), Poltak Silitonga, has denied allegations by the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) that the company was uncooperative during inspections of mineral-containing containers destined for export via Batam in the Riau Islands.

Poltak stated that PMM did not refuse inspection but was upholding legal procedures regarding the opening of seals placed by authorities. “We are not uncooperative. We have explained to the Navy that our goods were tested twice in the laboratory by authorised officials, namely PT Sucofindo and Customs, and were declared fit for export,” Poltak said in a statement on Saturday (30 May 2026).

He stressed that the entire export process had undergone laboratory testing, document verification, and approval from the Directorate General of Customs and Excise and PT Sucofindo. He added that once the process was complete and the container sealed, the seal could not be opened arbitrarily. “Seals cannot be equated to locks that can be opened at any time. Seals created by authorised officials must not be opened without due process, and legal procedures must be followed,” Poltak said.

“Do not assume there are prohibited items just because of a Navy official’s suspicion, leading them to open our containers at will,” he added. Poltak also noted that unauthorised seal opening could create legal uncertainty and cause losses for exporters, potentially leading to shipment delays and additional costs. “If there is an extreme necessity, we would allow opening, but only upon request from Customs and PT Sucofindo as the authorised officials,” he said.

In addition to denying the uncooperative allegations, Poltak also dismissed claims that PMM was smuggling hazardous or radioactive minerals. “We are not smuggling any hazardous minerals prohibited by the state,” he stressed. To substantiate his claims, Poltak said he had visited the Deputy Attorney General for Special Criminal Affairs (Jampidsus) building at the Attorney General’s Office to submit PMM’s licensing and export documents.