PRIME NEWS POST 

The INDONESIAN, (Jakarta) — The National Leadership Council of the Indonesian Law Students Association (DPN PERMAHI) has highlighted the performance of the Forest Area Control Task Force (Satgas PKH), which is considered not to be maximal and not serious in dealing with mining activities in the nickel concession area of PT Tomia Mitra Sejahtera (PT TMS) on Kabaena Island, Bombana Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.

The General Chairperson of DPN PERMAHI, Fahmi Namakule, emphasized that until now there are still mining activities that are suspected of continuing, even though the area has been sealed by the PKH Task Force.

“In our opinion, the attitude and concrete steps of the PKH Task Force towards PT TMS, which is directly led by the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (JAMPIDSUS) of the Attorney General’s Office, Febrie Adriansyah, have not been in accordance with the mandate of Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia Number 5 of 2025, and deviate from the initial objectives of the formation of the Task Force itself,” said Fahmi.

The PKH Task Force is Considered Not to be Fully Implementing the Presidential Decree Mandate

Fahmi explained that in Article 3 of the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia Number 5 of 2025, forest area control is carried out through:

a) Collection of administrative fines
b) Re-control of forest areas
c) Restoration of assets in forest areas

However, according to him, what happened in the field was only the installation of sealing signs, without any real re-control of the area and environmental restoration.

“This means that in addition to collecting administrative fines from PT TMS, the area should also be re-controlled and forest assets restored. But the facts on the ground show that Article 3 letters (b) and (c) are not being implemented to the fullest,” said Fahmi.

PERMAHI even strongly suspects that mining activities are still ongoing, even though the area has officially been under state control.

Suspected of Operating Without IPPKH, the State is Threatened with Huge Losses

Based on findings in the field, PERMAHI said that PT TMS is suspected of carrying out mining activities without holding a Forest Area Borrowing Permit (IPPKH) document. This action is considered a serious violation of forestry and mining laws, and has the potential to cause massive state losses.

“If this activity continues to run, it is not only the surrounding community that will be harmed and the environment destroyed, but the state will also be massively harmed,” added Fahmi.

Anoa Nusantara Activist: Mysterious Sealing, Legal Process Stalled

The spotlight on this case also came from the Anoa Nusantara Activist Network. One of its activists, Alkindi, said that the sealing carried out by the PKH Task Force seemed mysterious and half-hearted.

The sealing was carried out by installing a sign stating that an area of 172.82 hectares was under the control of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia c.q. PKH Task Force, based on Presidential Regulation Number 5 of 2025. However, according to Alkindi, the action only stopped at sealing the land.

“PT TMS is carrying out mining without IPPKH. The land has indeed been sealed, but the state losses, environmental crimes, and those responsible have not been processed legally to this day. This is a big question mark,” said Alkindi, Saturday (29/11).

He also said that there was a strong suspicion of a connection between land ownership and the family of the Governor of Southeast Sulawesi, which should have been a serious concern for law enforcement officials.

State Losses Estimated at IDR 9.5 Trillion

Alkindi revealed that the alleged state losses due to PT TMS’s activities are estimated to reach IDR 9 trillion to IDR 9.5 trillion. The losses come from:

Illegal mining in forest areas

Massive environmental damage

Loss of potential state revenue from the mining sector

“The question is clear: who is enjoying the results, who is responsible, and how is the criminal process? Everything must be opened transparently by law enforcement officials,” he said.

PERMAHI Urges the PKH Task Force to Act Firmly and Transparently

DPN PERMAHI emphasized that the PKH Task Force has a vital role in saving forests and state finances. Therefore, the Task Force is asked to:

Act firmly without discrimination

Open the entire law enforcement process transparently

Take action against field actors, investors, and intellectual actors

Immediately stop all PT TMS activities completely

“Don’t let the public lose confidence in the state because of the weak law enforcement against environmental crimes. If this is allowed to continue, it could trigger social conflicts and friction of interests in society,” concluded Fahmi. (Red)

Permahi Uncovers Alleged Neglect of PT TMS Illegal Mines, PKH Task Force Deemed Stalled

Nickel Mine Suspected of Being Illegal in Kabaena Still Operating, Permahi Criticizes PKH Task Force Performance

State Losses Allegedly Reach IDR 9.5 Trillion, Permahi Urges Thorough Investigation of PT TMS

PKH Task Force Accused of Being Half-Hearted in Handling PT TMS Mines, Activists: This is a Threat to the State.

Editorial Note:
Reported by the PRIME NEWS POST correspondent, compiled from various media sources. Photo: documentation / public archive