Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Government of the Republic of Indonesia will continue to improve governance in the mining sector, including operations within forest areas.
This commitment was the main takeaway from a meeting between several ministries and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at the KPK’s Red and White Building on Thursday (July 24, 2025).
In addition to the Ministry of Forestry, other ministries responsible for mining also attended, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Industry, and Ministry of Transportation.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni emphasized that the mandate given to him by President Prabowo Subianto is to protect the nation’s natural resources, particularly those within forest areas. Therefore, his ministry fully supports efforts to improve mining governance to help preserve forests.
“This meeting motivates us to strengthen what we call Forest Governance — forest management that focuses on conservation, sustainable development, and improving the welfare of forest communities,” said Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni in an official statement.
During the meeting, the Minister highlighted one major issue that needs to be addressed collaboratively: aligning data on mining operations within forest areas that lack Forest Area Utilization Permits (PPKH).
He stressed that the methodology and data sources must be clear so that any legal enforcement — such as Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) penalties or other sanctions — can be firmly grounded.
On this occasion, the Minister also told the media that illegal mines operating without PPKH are significantly harming the state. Such operations not only destroy forests but also fail to contribute to PNBP revenue.
Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Setyo Budiyanto, stated that the meeting aimed to produce recommendations for a strategic review of the mining sector. Setyo explained that KPK’s review of the mining sector has been ongoing since 2009.
“Many issues have been studied, including licensing, management, information and data transfer, overlapping permits, unauthorized mining activities, central-regional government disparities, and the low fulfillment of both financial and administrative obligations by businesses,” Setyo explained.
He further noted that the extensive review has produced findings that will lead to follow-up actions and an action plan. “The mining sector does not involve just one ministry or institution, but many. That’s why we hope this meeting can lead to better integration,” Setyo concluded. (*)
