Senator Papua asked the government to stop nickel mining in the Raja ampat region

Monday, June 9, 2025 – 09:20 Wib

Yakarta, Viva – President of Committee III DPD RI, Filep Wamafma strongly condemned nickel mining activities in the Raja Amppat region, southwest Papua. According to him, this action is a serious threat to environmental sustainability and economic sustainability of the local community.

Filep said that nickel exploitation will be a new problem for Raja ampat. Of course, the problem is not only a matter of damage to nature, but also the loss of people’s lives. According to him, Raja Ampat is a national strategic area that is rich in biodiversity. Tourism is a community livelihood source.

“If the mine is left to continue entering, the ecosystem will be damaged. The forest is cut, the soil is dred, the contaminated water and air, the fish is lost, the biodiversity disappears, the impact cannot be restored even with large funds,” Filep said through his statement on Monday, June 9, 2025.

Therefore, Filep asked the President of the Republic of Indonesia to order his staff in this case the Minister of Forestation and the Minister of Environment that intervened immediately to solve the problem of nickel mining in the Raja Amppp region. In fact, Filep urged to revoke its mining permit.

“The government must carry out thorough investigation. Mining businesses allow them to damage the environment must be revoked without obligation. The State should not be subject to economic pressure. The long -term interests of people and the preservation of nature as a source of life are much more important,” said Papua’s senator.

Filep said the mentality of state officials must change soon. He said that progress is not just a matter of numbers and money, but that progress is protecting the earth, the sea, the forest and its sustainability. Therefore, he rejected the temporary closing attitude carried out by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. Supposedly, nickel mines on Raja ampat are fully closed.

“We hope that it is not temporarily closed. There should be no negotiations with damage perpetrators to tourist attractions. Mining in Raja ampp State is present, the State is presented, the State presents the sea.

Legally, Filep explained that mining activities in small islands and coastal areas were prohibited, namely Law number 27 of 2007 Jo Law number 1 of 2014. In addition, the regulation of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fishing number 20 of 2021. All regulations confirmed the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems.

This law regulates the management of coastal areas and small islands, including environmental protection and local communities. Article 23 of the paragraph (2) establishes that the use of small islands and the surrounding water is prioritized for activities such as conservation, education, research and tourism.

Meanwhile, the Government must also be guided by the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) No. 35 of 2024, who once rejected the demand for PT. Gema Kreasi Perdana (GKP) to allow mining activities in coastal areas and small islands. The Constitutional Court believes that mining activities on small islands can damage the environment and damage the local community.

In addition, Filep alluded to the decision of the Supreme Court (MA) number 57 of 2022. The decision granted the demand of the residents of the Wawonii island who opposed the mining activities on the island. The Supreme Court believes that mining activities on small islands can be classified as an abnormally dangerous activity that must be prohibited.

Therefore, Filep assumed that these rules should have been a sufficient reason for nickel mining to Raja ampat. “The damage to Raja ampat is not just an ecological loss. This is a national disaster. The State must be consistent. The State must be put on the side of sustainability. Therefore, nickel mines in Raja ampat immediately. Do not expect everything to be destroyed,” he concluded.