The President wants the permits to be distributed evenly for the sake of justice.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Investment Minister and head of the land use and investment management task force, Bahlil Lahadalia, has sought an extension of the deadline for completing the revocation of 2,078 unproductive mining business permits (IUPs) to May 2022.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) targeted the revocation to be completed around March to April 2022. However, as of April 24, 2022, the task force has only revoked 1,118 IUPs, which cover an area of 2.7 million hectares.

“However, since we have to be careful and check the permits properly, the revocation will take until next month (May 2022). Next month, it must be completed," the task force head emphasized at a press conference here on Monday.

Most of the permits have been revoked since the IUPs granted to business actors are not used properly.

In addition to the IUPs, the task force also revoked forest area utilization permits. Out of the 192 permits recommended by the Environment and Forestry Ministry to be nullified, 15 have been revoked, with a total area of 482 thousand hectares.

The 15 permits comprise three Forest Land Acquisition Permits (PKH) and 12 Forest Utilization Business Permits (PBPH).

"The permits have been issued, but the areas are not managed,” Lahadalia informed.

Hence, to strengthen the restructuring and controlling attempt, the number of forest area utilization permits, which are recommended to be revoked, will be increased this week, he added.

As soon as the permits are completely revoked, the task force will disburse the business licenses of the lands to community-based organizations, such as Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, and churches, he said.

In addition, the licenses will also be distributed to local regional-owned enterprises (BUMD), village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), cooperatives, as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The task force head has added that it is in accordance with President Joko Widodo’s directives.

"The President wants the permits to be distributed evenly for the sake of justice. Do not let the IUPs be controlled by certain people or business groups,” he stressed.
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Translator: Ade Junida, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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