M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has expressed concerns that the 2024 regional elections (Pilkada) may become a platform for transactional politics, particularly in areas rich in natural resources.
Walhi's National Campaign Manager for Forests and Plantations, Uli Arta Siagian, stated that this transactional behavior often involves regional candidates and corporations. "Regions with forest areas and potential coal mining resources are particularly vulnerable," Uli said during an event in South Jakarta on Monday, October 7, 2024.
According to Uli, transactional politics revolve around agreements concerning areas that could be developed into business ventures. Corporations, in turn, offer support to ensure that their favored candidates win, with the expectation of future benefits once they hold office.
Uli highlighted that resource-rich regions like the forests of Papua and Sumatra are particularly at risk. Currently, these islands, especially Sumatra, are dominated by palm oil plantations and oil and mineral mining, which are vital for industry.
Additionally, areas designated for National Strategic Projects (PSN) could also become targets for transactional deals. In urban areas, Uli cited the Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) project in Tangerang and Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) 2 in North Jakarta as examples.
"The designation of national strategic urban areas could open the door for transactional politics between incumbent governments and corporations," she explained.
Uli warned that such political practices could lead to environmental corruption, where benefits are reaped by a select few while offering little to no advantages for the general public.
Previously, the Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Susiwijono Moegiarso, clarified that PIK 2 was proposed by Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, while BSD was proposed by Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.
He emphasized that only the mangrove area of PIK 2 was designated as a National Strategic Project. Meanwhile, the Integrated Development Area in BSD is being focused on the health sector.
Susiwijono added that a biomedical research facility will be constructed in the BSD area. "Beyond that, there will be educational activities and other developments. So, it's not the entire BSD area, but around 56 hectares specifically, in line with the technical recommendations from the minister," he said.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1925661/walhi-claims-resource-rich-regions-prone-to-transactional-politic