Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the government will pursue legal action if evidence emerges of illegal mining linked to the industrial zone.
“The President’s directive to us, as the task force and as the Energy Ministry, is to enforce the rules—without exception. The state cannot be defeated by wrongdoing,” Bahlil said in a statement at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Thursday.
He noted that his ministry is still awaiting reports from investigators on alleged illegal mining near the IMIP complex.
A separate task force led by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has deployed a team for an operational drill at the IMIP airport, though Bahlil said he did not attend the exercise.
Asked about nickel mining operations in the area, Bahlil clarified that his ministry is responsible only for downstream recommendations in the nickel sector.
He added that airport security and facilities fall under the jurisdiction of other technical ministries, not the Energy Ministry.
“The Energy Ministry oversees mining matters, including downstream recommendations. But airport security is the responsibility of the relevant technical ministry,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Transportation Ministry affirmed that the IMIP airport in Fatufia Village, Bahodopi Subdistrict, Morowali District, is officially registered and recognized by the government.
The clarification followed public debate suggesting the airport had been operating without government oversight.
Deputy Transportation Minister Suntana said Wednesday that the ministry had deployed personnel to verify compliance with national regulations.
He explained that staff from customs, police, and the Transportation Ministry—including the Airport Authority Directorate—have been stationed at the site to ensure proper supervision.
“We have placed several personnel there—from customs, police, and the Transportation Ministry. The airport authority is also on-site,” he said.
Suntana stressed that the IMIP airport is formally listed in ministry records.
“It is registered. There is no way the airport is unregistered,” he said.
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Translator: Mentari DG, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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