Riri Rahayu, Jakarta – The Domberai People and Nature Rescue Coalition criticized the presence of the Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia and officials from the Southwest Papua Barat to Gag Island, Raja Ampat.
The officials visited the mining site managed by PT Gag Nikel. The working visit was conducted amid rejection from environmental activists and a civil society coalition against nickel mining activities in Raja Ampat.
Ayub Paa, a coalition representative, believes the government is siding with the mining company on this issue. He holds this view because the Southwest Papua Governor, Elisa Kambu, claimed that the environmental damage in Raja Ampat circulating on social media is a hoax. According to Elisa, the sea there is still blue.
The Energy Ministry, as stated by the Director General of Minerals and Coal, Tri Winarno, also claimed not to find any indications of violations on Gag Island. He noted that the coastal area is also free from sedimentation. However, Tri said the Energy Ministry still dispatched Mine Inspectors to evaluate the entire Mining Business License Area (WIUP) in Raja Ampat.
"The officials' statements are subjective and cannot be justified, especially when assessing whether or not mining companies have committed violations," said Ayub in a written statement on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Ayub stated that the assessment of violations by mining companies in Raja Ampat should be conducted through investigations. This is the authority of the Special Police for the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands (Polsus PWP3K). He mentioned that the regulation is stipulated in the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia Regulation Number 12/PERMEN-KP/2013 concerning Supervision of the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands.
"Therefore, it can be concluded that the presence of the Minister of ESDM and the statements of regional officials are attempts to protect corporations and companies that endanger the environment and nature of Raja Ampat," said Ayub.
Therefore, the Domberai People and Nature Rescue Coalition urges the government to revoke all mining permits in Raja Ampat. This demand is also directed at the Raja Ampat Regent because several mining permits were issued through his decree.
"It should be noted that the activities of mining companies in Raja Ampat contradict the provisions of Law Number 1 of 2014 regarding the management of coastal areas and small islands," said Ayub.
Previously, Greenpeace's investigation found mining activities on Gag Island, Kawe Island, and Manuran Island. Based on Law Number 1 of 2014, all of these are categorized as small islands that should not be mined.
Greenpeace's analysis shows that mining activities on these three islands have damaged more than 500 hectares of natural forest and vegetation. Field documentation also shows soil runoff flowing to the coast, causing dangerous sedimentation to coral reefs and marine ecosystems.
Based on data from the Energy Ministry, five Mining Business Licenses (IUP) have been issued in Raja Ampat, in the southwest region of Papua Barat. These five companies are PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of PT Antam Tbk; PT Anugerah Surya Pratama (ASP), PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa (MRP), PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining (KWS), and PT Nurham. The IUPs owned by Gag Nikel and PT ASP were issued by the central government, while the IUPs of the other three companies were issued by the local government.
Fahmy Radhi, an Energy Economist at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), urged the government to permanently stop issuing mining permits in Raja Ampat. The mining activities in that area will damage the environment.
Fahmy also suggested that the Attorney General's Office intervene in this matter. He suspects that the central government is colluding with mining entrepreneurs to issue mining permits in Raja Ampat.
– Nandito Putra contributed to the writing of this article
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2015757/environmental-coalition-demands-end-to-mining-in-raja-ampa