(TheIndoDaily.com) – The House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday (23/01) agree to amend Law Number 4 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining.
The House Plenary Session, headed by Deputy Head of DPR Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, said the decision came after each faction made a written view about the proposed amendment.
With the revision, tertiary institutions could be included as parties that would be given the right to manage mineral and coal mining, along with mass organizations, which have been granted permission earlier.
The Head of DPR Legislation Agency, Bob Hasan, said during the previous meeting, held on Jan. 14, 2025, the House members agreed that apart from downstream business, mass religious organizations “will be prioritized” in managing mining, which will be regulated under the amended Mineral and Coal Law.
Technical arrangements would be regulated under the government-implementing law.
Industry players and quarters of the society have criticized the Prabowo Subianto government’s plan to award mineral and coal mining to religious mass organizations and tertiary education. They argued that these mass organizations don’t have the capacity and competence to manage and operate this complicated and risky business requiring advanced funding and in-depth experience. (RK)
The proposed amendment to the Mineral and Coal Law seems to spark significant debate. Including tertiary institutions and religious organizations in mining management raises concerns about their capacity and expertise. Critics argue that handling such a complex industry requires specialized skills and substantial funding. The government should reconsider the practicality and potential risks of this plan. Do they believe these organizations can effectively manage mining operations without prior experience?
The House Plenary Session’s decision to include tertiary institutions in managing mineral and coal mining marks a significant shift in policy. This amendment, supported by Deputy Head of DPR Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, aims to diversify the entities involved in this sector. However, concerns have been raised about the competence of mass organizations and educational institutions in handling such complex operations. Technical arrangements will be further detailed under government-implementing laws. Do these new amendments truly consider the expertise required for managing mining operations effectively?
The inclusion of tertiary institutions in managing mineral and coal mining is a significant shift in policy. Prioritizing mass organizations raises concerns about their capacity to handle such complex operations. The government’s approach seems to overlook the technical expertise required in this sector. Critics argue that this decision may lead to inefficiencies and increased risks. Why weren’t industry experts consulted more thoroughly before finalizing this amendment?