By: Marinus Imbenai *)
Raja Ampat is known as one of the most beautiful areas in Indonesia, with clear blue seas and extraordinary natural wealth. However, behind its beauty, this area has also begun to become part of national development, including through nickel mining activities. This situation has also become a concern for the government so that investment remains in favor of environmental preservation. The government is also trying to ensure that mining activities in Raja Ampat are carried out with clear regulations and still maintain the balance of nature. The government places investment governance as a priority, so that development can proceed without sacrificing the environment which is a valuable asset for Indonesia.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) confirmed that all mining activities taking place in this area have complied with applicable laws and regulations, including protection of coastal areas and small islands. This is also an affirmation that the state does not ignore ecological aspects in designing economic policies in priority conservation areas.
To date, five nickel mining companies have obtained official permits to operate in Raja Ampat. Two of them, namely PT Gag Nikel and PT Anugerah Surya Pratama (ASP), received direct permits from the central government. The other three, namely PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa (MRP), PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining (KSM), and PT Nurham, received permits from the Raja Ampat Regency Government. The existence of these five companies has gone through a legal licensing process and is strictly supervised. This reflects the government’s commitment to implementing the principles of legality and prudence.
The government does not only stop at the permit issuance process, but also implements a multi-layered supervision system to ensure that mining activities are truly in line with environmental principles. This supervision includes aspects of legality, compliance with conservation zones, and maintenance of protected forests that support the ecosystem of the area which is carried out in stages from the center to the regions. Even the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia emphasized that comprehensive evaluations are carried out periodically by a team of mine inspectors who are directly assigned by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
This step shows that the state does not tolerate mining practices that damage the environment. In fact, in carrying out his function as a policy maker, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources has made a direct visit to Gag Island, one of the centers of mining activities, to see firsthand the conditions in the field and absorb the aspirations of the surrounding community. The findings from the visit will be analyzed technically and become the basis for more comprehensive decision-making in the future.
This assertion is very relevant amidst the circulation of a viral video that mentions alleged pollution. However, the information was immediately corrected by the Governor of Southwest Papua, Elisa Kambu, who had conducted a direct review of the location with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. During the review, the condition of the sea was reported to remain clear and showed no signs of damage as shown in the video.
Governor Kambu said that the accusations of environmental damage on Gag Island were baseless information. He emphasized that PT Gag Nikel’s mining activities had been carried out responsibly, including in terms of reclamation and reforestation of post-mining areas. This statement further strengthens the belief that the local and central governments have a harmonious perception in maintaining the environmental integrity of Raja Ampat.
A firm response from the local government is also an important counterweight amidst the rise of narratives that are not based on facts. The government is aware that public opinion is often formed from pieces of information that are not necessarily valid. Therefore, clarification carried out through a factual approach in the field is the main strategy in maintaining public trust in national natural resource governance.
More than just straightening out information, this government approach also shows that development in areas such as Raja Ampat cannot be separated from the local context. Every decision taken takes into account the social, ecological, and economic realities that are united in one area. Continuous evaluation, even for companies that have obtained official permits, is a form of caution that deserves to be appreciated.
The government also implements the precautionary principle through the implementation of Law Number 27 of 2007 concerning the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands. This regulation emphasizes that reclamation activities and utilization of areas must consider technical, social, and especially environmental benefits. This shows that the national legal framework has provided a strong enough instrument to ensure that development continues within the corridor of sustainability.
The fact that the central and regional governments actively conduct field visits and regular evaluations confirms that investment in the mining sector is a sector that is strictly regulated and fully supervised by the state. On the contrary, policies are built on the basis of transparency, accountability, and long-term orientation towards ecological balance and the welfare of local communities.
In the geopolitical and geostrategic context of Indonesia as an archipelagic country, investment governance as implemented in Raja Ampat is an ideal model for integrating economic interests with environmental protection. The government realizes that the challenges in managing natural resources are not only about exploitation, but also about how to ensure the sustainability of the ecosystem for future generations.
*) Literacy Activist and Forest Environmental Observer
