TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Ali Masykur Musa, member of the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK), declared that BPK has found 15 cases that revealed illegal mining activitied done by 22 mining companies. These companies have been conducting mining activites without a legal mining permit.

"Therefore, there is a potential for state losses. The amount may reach Rp 100 billion [US$10,22 million],"said Ali in a press conference at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in Jakarta on Friday, May 24.

He also confirmed that the findings have been submitted to KPK. "We welcome a swift decision from KPK. In addition, we agreed that all of the findings should be processed by KPK," Ali confirmed.

Ali stated that illegal mining activites was found in four provinces, namely Papua, North Sulawesi, Kalimantan and Riau archipelago. "Together with KPK, we will try to do any preventive measures to handle these illegal minings," he said.

Deputy Chairman of KPK Adnan Pandu Praja declared that KPK will investigate the findings. "There will be synergy from the meeting. We hoped that KPK's analysis can be synergized with BPK's assessments," he concluded.

ANGGA SUKMA WIJAYA