Gov’t to Evaluate, Revoke Misused Mining Business Permits in Forest Areas

President Prabowo gives a briefing to all Echelon I officials at ministries/agencies and President Directors of SOEs at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, on Wednesday (04/08).

The Government is set to conduct a thorough evaluation of all mining business permits (IUP) for operations in protected forests, conservation forests, national parks, and other forest areas.

The President made the statement in the briefing he delivered at the Government Work Meeting with members of the Red and White Cabinet, all Echelon I officials at ministries/agencies, and President Directors of SOEs at the Presidential Palace Complex on Wednesday (04/08).

“I have also ordered the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources [to manage it]. I received a report that there are hundreds of questionable mines or whose IUP is questionable, operating in protected forests and other forest areas,” he said.

The Head of State also ordered the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to revoke the permits of mining businesses that violate governance principles without compromise and report the evaluation results within one week.

“One week. We must revoke all IUPs. We must revoke [IUPs if the businesses] violate the principles. The state must take control, so we can strengthen our institutions, our agencies,” he said.

The President stated that this firm action is part of the Government’s efforts to defend national interests and protect natural resources from irresponsible practices, adding that the Government will leave no room for private or individual interests in the management of the state’s strategic resources.

“We defend solely national and public interests,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (DH/MMB)