DPR Suggest Forming Investment Work Committee over Suspicions of Foul Play in Mining Licensing

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives’ (DPR) Commission VI member Harris Turino proposed the formation of an investment working committee as a way to resolve the many problems in investment, especially in the mining sector.

"I propose the formation of a working committee to clarify all these problems," Harris said during a working meeting between Commission VI—which deals with trade, industries, investments, cooperatives, and SMEs as well as SOE affairs—with Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia on Monday, April 1.

Harris pressed Bahlil Lahadalia over the alleged abuse in the issuance of mining permits, a case in which the minister is implicated. Harris asked Bahlil to clarify reports that the majority shares of PT Meta Mineral Pradana are owned by PT Papua Bersama Unggul, a company owned by Bahlil.

Haris asked why Meta Mineral's IUP had not been revoked, despite claims that there has been no activity in the two work areas where the company has permits. "This has been confirmed by satellite imagery obtained by Greenpeace," said Harris.

Harris also questioned the impact of downstreaming, particularly nickel downstreaming. "Who really benefits from nickel downstreaming? Is it the Indonesian government or the foreign investors?"

Harris also asked how much tax contribution, dividends or royalties the Indonesian government receives from downstreaming, and how many jobs it has created for the Indonesian people. "During the presidential debates, there were so many questions that were answered with 'downstreaming'," the PDIP politician said.

Lastly, Harris said that the progress of foreign investment in the Indonesian capital of Nusantara (IKN) must be made public. "We don't want everything to be paid for out of the state budget. It won't be enough. The private sector has to be involved," he said.

Bahlil confirmed that his company, PT Papua Bersama Unggul, has ownership in PT Meta Mineral Pradana. However, Bahlil claimed that the company's IUP had not been revoked because it had applied for a forest land use permit (IPPKH), which was issued in 2022.

Meanwhile, Bahlil's other questions and requests for clarification were not answered due to time constraints. The DPR’s Commission VI has requested written responses from Bahlil for these unanswered questions.

RIRI RAHAYU

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