Cardinal Suharyo expressed his opposition and environmentalists also criticized the decision of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who signed a decree law a few days ago. On the other hand, the country’s largest Islamic organization, the Nahdlatul Ulama, has declared itself in favor.
Jakarta () – The Indonesian Catholic Church has rejected President Joko Widodo’s project to allow religious organizations to manage mineral deposits whose concessions have been withdrawn from companies. Last week, Jokowi – as the president is known in his country – signed a decree to make the proposal official, as a gesture of gratitude for the contribution of religious groups to Indonesia’s fight for independence, Investment Minister Bahlil said. Lahadalia.
In 2022, the president, whose term will end in October, had announced that he would revoke a series of mining permits because the concessions were being developed too slowly. Bahlil stated that religious organizations have the opportunity to take charge of concessions to improve the well-being of the community.
But religious organizations do not have the capacity for exploration and exploitation, nor the funds to propose mining investments.
Criticism has come from the Church and various groups in society, including environmentalists. “I do not know how or who will respond to this question presented by the president,” declared yesterday Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, archbishop of Jakarta. “But the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference and the Indonesian Catholic Church will never accept the offer to manage mining projects because it is not the responsibility of the Church.”
“Our pastoral work in each archdiocese and within the Episcopal Conference has always been very clear. And it has never been involved in mining projects,” added the cardinal, addressing the media as he left the office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jakarta.
The Semarang Catholic University Students Association (PMKRI) also issued a statement rejecting Jokowi’s proposal.
On the other hand, the Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization, commented that the change in the law would encourage religious groups to become more involved in the public sphere. “This law is a bold step forward to expand the use of state-controlled natural resources for the direct benefit of the people,” UN President General Yahya Cholil Staquf said Monday.
According to the text approved by Jokowi, between 2024 and 2029, the central government will issue permits (called IUPK), particularly for coal extraction, to business entities of religious organizations. “They are two very different things,” Jokowi said. “The IUPK will not be granted to religious organizations, but to their business entities.”
The failed management of mining projects has generated many problems in Indonesia. Environmentalists claim that wells pollute the environment causing health problems. There have often been conflicts with large companies that have appropriated land belonging to the local population. And some children have died after falling into abandoned mining pits.
UN Vice President Ahmad Suaedy acknowledged criticism from activists concerned about the UN’s inexperience in the mining sector, but declared that “irregularities can be committed by anyone.”
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