DPR Energy Commission to Investigate Allegations of Mining Permits Politicization Involving Minister Bahlil

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of legislators in the DPR's Commission VII, which deals with energy issues, are paying attention to the alleged politicization of mining business permits (IUP) involving the Minister of Investment / Head of the Investment Agency Bahlil Lahadalia. DPR Energy Commission member Mulyanto said they would ask the DPR leadership to investigate the alleged politicization of mining permits.

"We will ask to summon the relevant parties and ministries. So that the issue is clear," the PKS politician said on Tuesday, March 5.

Mulyanto said that in addition to PKS, a number of other party factions in Commission VII had also given the green light to investigate the alleged problem. He hoped that Commission VII would soon be able to hold a working meeting with relevant ministries and parties to clarify the issue.

Contacted separately, Energy Commission Chairman Sugeng Suparwoto said the commission had criticized Bahlil's appointment as chairman of the Land Management and Investment Management Task Force from the beginning. "Because only with a presidential decree can this institution become a super body," Sugeng said.

An investigative report published in the March 4-10, 2024 issue of Tempo Magazine mentions Bahlil's alleged involvement in the chaos surrounding the revocation of mining permits. Bahlil allegedly politicized the revocation of IUPs under the pretext that the company's concessions were unproductive.

However, not all unproductive concessions had their mining permits revoked. Bahlil is suspected of granting privileges to close associates and businessmen who dare to pay tribute.

Sugeng said that the Task Force for Land Management and Investment Management should not be given excessive powers that even exceed the powers of ministries involved in mining, such as the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, or the Ministry of Agriculture and Spatial Planning / State Land Agency.

This task force is an ad hoc agency. Giving them the power to revoke IUPs, Cultivation Rights and Borrow-to-Use Forest Area Permits is against good governance. "And in several hearings at Commission VII, many partners and associations complained about the existence of this task force," Sugeng said.

Sugeng hopes that law enforcement officials will be proactive in investigating the alleged politicization of mining permits, in which Bahlil Lahadalia is allegedly involved.

The Land Management and Investment Management Task Force was established by Presidential Decree No. 1 of 2022 on the Land Management and Investment Management Task Force, which was signed by President Joko Widodo on January 20, 2022.

Bahlil's role in revoking mining permits became even more privileged with the issuance of Presidential Decree No.11/2021 on the Investment Acceleration Task Force.

ANDI ADAM

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