Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Indonesia House of Representatives’ Legislative Body (Baleg) suggesting permits allowing universities to manage mining areas, similar to the rights granted to religious organizations.
Baleg has proposed amendments to Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining (Minerba), which include granting mining permits (IUPs) not only to religious organizations but also to universities.
The proposal was presented during a meeting at the Nusantara I Building in Jakarta on Monday, January 20, 2025. Among the 11 points of discussion, one suggested prioritizing mining business permits (WIUPs) for community organizations, universities, and SMEs, according to report from Detik.
ESDM Response
Responding to the proposal, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has responded cautiously.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung stated that the government has not yet discussed the proposal in detail, including criteria for universities to qualify for such responsibilities. Meanwhile, coordination with the House of Representatives is still pending.
“We have yet to deliberate this with the House. Once discussions begin, we’ll consider the criteria they propose, aligning with the needs of universities, particularly in the context of the ‘Freedom to Learn’ (Kampus Merdeka) initiative,” Yuliot said during a press briefing at the ESDM Ministry on Friday, January 24, 2025, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
Yuliot further clarified that the government is awaiting an official draft from the House of Representatives. This draft will be analyzed and later reviewed by President Prabowo Subianto before any response is formalized.
“We’ll examine whether the universities have relevant study programs and whether their location is close to mining sites. These details will be addressed during discussions with the House,” he added.
For now, the government cannot initiate its analysis, as the proposed amendment to the Mining Law (UU Minerba) is still under deliberation in the House and has not been formally submitted to the executive branch.
DPR Agreement
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad responded to the proporsal. He expressed that the idea aimed to help universities generate additional funding.
“If the spirit is to provide financial support for universities, then this proposal should be explored,” Dasco stated on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
However, he emphasized the need for clear mechanisms to govern mining operations by universities. “The operational and regulatory frameworks must be carefully structured to ensure the benefits align with the intended universities,” Dasco added.
Academic Criticism
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from academic circles. Fahmy Radhi, an economics professor at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), argued that the idea contradicts Indonesia’s Education Law.
“Universities have three primary functions: education, research, and community service. Mining activities, which inevitably harm the environment, are fundamentally incompatible with these functions,” Fahmy said in a press release on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, as reported by Tempo.
Fahmy speculated that granting mining concessions to universities might be an attempt to undermine their critical role in holding the government accountable. “If this suspicion is true, it signals a crisis in universities’ role as watchdogs of democracy and governance in Indonesia,” he warned.
Fahmy urged the House to withdraw the proposal, calling on academic institutions nationwide to reject the mining concession plan. “Universities that prioritize conscience and sustainability must oppose this proposal to prevent a crisis in higher education,” he concluded.
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The proposal has sparked a heated debate, highlighting different views on Indonesia’s ambitions to boost economic opportunities through resource management. As the government and legislators deliberate, the outcome will likely shape not only the future of Indonesia’s mining sector but also the role of universities in national development.
