Walhi mengungkapkan konsesi lahan untuk tambang nikel di Indonesia mencapai 1.037.435,22 hektare pada 2022. Ilustrasi (REUTERS/AJENG DINAR ULFIANA)

Walhi

CNN Indonesia – May 16, 2023

Jakarta — The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has revealed that land concessions for nickel mining in Indonesia reached 1,037,435.22 hectares in 2022.

Walhi campaign division head Puspa Dewy said that of this total,765,237.07 hectares are located in forest areas.

“The allocation of nickel mining concessions in 2022 was 1,037,435.22 hectares where 765,237.07 hectares of this were in forest areas”, said Dewy when speaking in Central Jakarta on Tuesday May 16.

The extent of these concessions experienced an increase on the previous year. Walhi noted that nickel mining concession covered 999,587.66 hectares in 2021 with 653,759.16 hectares of these located in forest areas.

Dewy explained that the increase in the concession areas for nickel mining was influenced by the government’s ambition to create an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. Nickel is needed for the manufacturing of electric batteries.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo issued Presidential Regulation Number

55/2019 on the Acceleration of Battery Based Motorised Electric Vehicles Program.

Then the president also issued Presidential Instruction Number 7/2022 on the Use of Battery Based Electric Vehicles as an Official Operational Vehicle for the Central and Regional Governments.

In addition to this, the government is also providing incentives to electric vehicle realted companies. “By providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives”, she said.

Dewy said that nickel mining, which has become massive, especially in forest areas, threatens the environment. She gave the example of the Ake Wosia River in Central Halmahera, North Maluku province, which is known to be polluted by mining in the region.

“At least four rivers are polluted, namely the Ake Wosia, Ake Sake, Seslewe Sini and Kobe”, she said.

Dewy is recommending that the government tighten the issuance of nickel mining concessions, adding that mining activities are not allowed to be conducted in essential areas.

“Such as forest, coastal and areas that influence the ordinary people’s sources of livelihood”, she said.

CNN Indonesia has sought a response from Environment and Forestry Ministry Secretary General Bambang Hendroyono but has not received a response as of this article being posted. (yla/fra)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was

“Walhi: 765 Ribu Ha Kawasan Hutan Jadi Konsensi Tambang Nikel”.]

CNN Indonesia – May 12, 2023

Jakarta — Indonesia Ulama Council (MUI) Deputy Chairperson Anwar Abbas is asking that a fan meeting with gay Thai actors and musicians Billkin and PP Krit that is planned to be held in Indonesia be cancelled because they a symbol of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) groups.

“The Indonesian government should prohibit them from holding a fan meeting or public meeting with Indonesian citizens because such a thing would mean that the government tolerates LGBT practices”, said Abbas in a statement on Friday May 12.

Abbas said that Indonesia has the 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945), which clearly regulates that Indonesia is a country based on Belief in the Almighty God (Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa).

Because of this, he is asking the government not to tolerate practices or activities that conflict with religious teachings.

“Out of the six religions that are acknowledged in this country, namely Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism, not one tolerates LGBT practices”, he said.

LGBT, said Abbas, is considered to be an anti-human and anti-humanity movement. He is of the view that humanity could become extinct if the practice is allowed to perpetuate.

“Therefore LGBT acts have no place in this country because this matter is clearly not in line with humanitarian values and justice”, he added.

Billkin and PP Krit are two young Thai actors who are well known through several Thai TV drama series including “My Ambulance”, “I Told Sunse About You” and “I Promised You The Moon”.

The Billkin and PP Krit fan meeting is part of an Asia tour by the pair that will begin in early June. The Billkin and PP Krit fan meeting in Indonesia will be held on June 10 at the Senayan Indoor Tennis Centre in Jakarta. Ticket sales meanwhile will open on May 12 at 7 pm.

Billkin and PP Krit fan meeting tickets in Jakarta are divided into five categories. Tickets are priced at between 1.5 million rupiah for the cheapest and 2.7 million rupiah for the most expensive. (rzr/isn)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “MUI Larang Fan Meeting Billkin & PP Krit di Indonesia”.]

News Desk – Susi Air Pilot Hostage 29 May 2023

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) recently released a video that threatened to kill the pilot they held hostage, Philip Mark Mehrtens. Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) Atnike Nova Sigiro said such threat would worsen the human rights situation in Papua and perpetuate the cycle of violence in the region.

On February 7, 2023, the TPNPB led by Egianus Kogeya set fire to a Susi Air plane after it landed and discharged passengers at Paro Airstrip in Nduga Regency. They also abducted the pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens. Subsequently, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police launched a rescue operation that resulted in a firefight in Mugi District on April 15, 2023.

After three months of holding the pilot hostage, the TPNPB released a video conveying their demands and threats against Philip Mark Mehrtens. In the video, Mehrtens was seen holding a Morning Star flag while being held captive by the TPNPB. He said he would be killed if there were no discussions about the status of Papua within the next two months.

In a video received by Jubi on Saturday, May 27, 2023, Mehrtens said that other countries were given a two-month period to engage in discussions with Indonesia regarding an independent Papua. “If no discussions take place within that time frame, the TPNPB will proceed to shoot me,” Mehrtens said.

Sigiro, in response, said her party considered the threat made by TPNPB as a provocation that could trigger the government to use a security-based approach in Papua even more. The act of holding Mehrtens hostage, Sigiro said, was a criminal act that had aggravated the situation in Papua, resulting in casualties and public unrest.

“Komnas HAM once again urges Egianus Kogeya to immediately and unconditionally release Philip Mark Mehrtens,” Sigiro said.

According to Sigiro, the act of taking hostages and issuing death threats undermines public sympathy, including from the international community, towards human rights concerns in Papua. The violent actions carried out by TPNPB, which include threatening to kill hostages, go against the principles of promoting dialogue. Taking Philip Mark Mehrtens hostage and endangering his life is not a suitable approach for initiating a dialogue.

She emphasized that dialogue can only be achieved by demonstrating goodwill and fostering trust among all parties involved.

Sigiro emphasized that the Komnas HAM consistently urged the government, including the TNI and Police to adopt a measured security approach when it came to the rescue of Philip Mark Mehrtens and addressing the situation in Papua.

Komnas HAM also calls upon all stakeholders in Papua, including civil society groups, churches, traditional customs, and local governments, to collectively engage in persuasive efforts towards Egianus Kogeya and his followers, urging them to cease violent methods immediately.

Furthermore, Komnas HAM requests the government to promptly initiate genuine peace initiatives, which can be initiated at the local level through collaboration with community groups in Papua. (*) ————————————-