List of Mass Organizations Declining to Obtain Mining Permit from Jokowi

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government of President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has issued a policy allowing religious organizations in Indonesia to obtain Special Mining Business Permit Areas (WIUPK), as stipulated in the divisive Government Regulation (PP) No. 25 of 2024.

While some welcome the policy, it is opposed by the community and environmental organizations on the grounds of potential environmental damage. In fact, a number of socio-religious organizations have declared that they will not apply for authorization to manage mines. They are as follows:

Nahdlatul Wathan Diniyah Islamiyah (NWDI)

The chairman of the executive board of NWDI, Tuan Guru Bajang (TGB) Muhammad Zainul Majdi, said they will not apply for a mining license. While acknowledging that the policy is well-intentioned and inclusive by involving religious organizations in the development process, he said NWDI does not have the capacity and management to manage the mining business.

The decision to decline also stems from their principles of "maqashid sharia," which requires people to protect nature from damage.

"Environmental management is one of the main objectives of Sharia. "This means that the religion is very committed to preserving the environment," he told Tempo on June 9.

The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI)

PGI Chairman Gomar Gultom said that granting IUPs to religious organizations is the government's way of involving the people in the management of natural resource wealth. However, he reminded that managing mines is not easy.

There are also concerns about environmental damage from coal mining, which is the basis for PGI's refusal to apply for a mine management permit. In addition, PGI has been active in supporting victims of development policies, including mining. By becoming an actor in the mining business, Gomar believes that the community is at risk of losing its moral legitimacy.

"The world of mining is very complex, has very far-reaching consequences, and is surrounded by controversies," Gomar told Tempo on June 10.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Indonesia (KWI)

Marten Jenarut, the secretary of the KWI's Commission for Justice, Peace and Pastoral Care for Migrants, said that mining was not in line with KWI's mission as a religious institution. Since its founding in 1924, he said, KWI has aimed to organize the worship of Catholics in Indonesia and to organize humanitarian programs.

"In the context of consistency with KWI's identity and dignity as a religious organization, it does not accept the government's offer to hold a mining IUP," he told Koran Tempo.

According to Marten, being part of a mining company could create a conflict of interest because KWI also plays a role in overseeing the government's development management. KWI hopes that development activities will be based on the ethical moral principles of the Catholic Church, which uphold human dignity, are oriented toward the public interest, and ensure the integrity of nature.

"Knowing our place as a religious institution, KWI respectfully declines the offer," Marten said.

Batak Protestant Christian Huria (HKBP)

The decline also came from the HKBP. HKBP's Eforus Robinson Butarbutar said that the organization feels it has a responsibility to protect the environment that has been exploited by humans. HKBP believes that mining has long been proven to be one of the main causes of natural damage and global warming.

The HKBP urges the government to immediately switch to the use of green energy sources and to take decisive action against mining companies that have damaged the environment.

"We humbly inform that HKBP as a church will not be involved in mining," Robinson told Koran Tempo.

MELYNDA DWI PUSPITA

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