NU Starts Applying for Mining Permits, Muhammadiyah Does Not Want to Rush

MINING - JAKARTA. The Indonesian government has made a firm decision to grant mining concessions to religious community organizations. This policy is outlined in Government Regulation (PP) Number 25 of 2024 Concerning Amendments to PP No. 96/2021 on the Implementation of Mineral and Coal Mining Business Activities.

Yuliot Tanjung, Deputy for Investment Climate Development at the Ministry of Investment/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), stated that currently, the only religious organization that has applied for a new mining business permit (IUP) is Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). "The process for NU is still ongoing," Yuliot clarified yesterday.

The General Chairman of PBNU, KH Yahya Cholil Staquf (Gus Yahya), announced that his organization is preparing a business structure following the issuance of PP 25/2024. NU will establish a business and management structure that ensures professionalism and accountability, both in management and in the utilization of the results.

"This policy is a bold step that represents a significant breakthrough in expanding the direct utilization of state-controlled natural resources for the welfare of the people," he said in a written statement on Monday (3/6).

The General Secretary of the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah, Adbul Mu'ti, emphasized that his organization will not rush and will measure its capabilities to ensure that mining management does not cause problems for the organization or the state.

"The possibility of religious organizations managing mines is not automatic, as they must first meet certain requirements," he explained in a statement via his social media yesterday.

Melky Nahar, an activist from the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam), believes there are two indications of the granting of mining concessions to PBNU by President Joko Widodo.
The first indication relates to Jokowi's reciprocation to influential social and political groups that have supported his power over the last 10 years.

"The second indication we suspect is that Jokowi is maintaining his political influence post-presidency in the upcoming October," he said.