Press Release
For Immediate Release from October 1, 2024, onwards
Jakarta – Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia, a civil society coalition consisting of 31 national and local organizations, is calling on the newly inaugurated members of Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) for the 2024-2029 term to take immediate and serious steps to improve governance in the energy and natural resource sectors in line with their legislative mandate.
Aryanto Nugroho, National Coordinator of PWYP Indonesia, expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the current DPR, noting, “While it’s hard to be too optimistic since 370 out of 580 members are returning incumbents, this new DPR must not repeat the mistakes of the previous term, whose performance was far from satisfactory.”
“This term, the DPR must be bold and maximize its legislative, oversight, and budgeting functions,” he urged.
Several key pieces of legislation related to the energy and natural resource sectors in the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) still needed to be completed or approved in the previous term. This includes the Oil and Gas Bill, the New and Renewable Energy Bill, and The Climate Justice Bill, which has yet to see any progress.
“These bills are critically important, especially as the realities of climate change become more evident and the need for a just energy transition becomes more urgent. The regulations we need should not only be passed quickly but must also align with the principles of a just energy transition,” Aryanto explained.
Disappointingly, both the Oil and Gas Bill and the New and Renewable Energy Bill, for example, fall short of these principles, instead favouring false solutions such as nuclear energy and the use of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS/CCUS) in the oil and gas sector.
“This needs to change immediately!” Aryanto demanded.
In addition, the Indigenous Peoples Bill must be fast-tracked, as it is essential for recognizing and protecting Indigenous Peoples, who are increasingly marginalized by the expansion of industries such as mining, forestry, and plantations.
The DPR must truly represent the people. From past experiences in passing laws, the DPR has too often forgotten that it is the people they are meant to represent.
Aryanto pointed to several laws that have not served the public interest, such as the Mining Law, the Job Creation Law, and amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) Law, where it seemed lawmakers were more influenced by oligarchic interests than the needs of the people.
“We demand that the legislative process for all draft bills be more transparent and participatory, from the drafting of academic papers to discussions and final approval!” Aryanto stressed.
Ariyansah NK, a researcher at PWYP Indonesia, also emphasised the DPR’s weak oversight function, particularly in the energy and natural resource sectors. These sectors are vital for supporting the economy ensuring equity and protecting the environment and resources for future generations.
In these areas, the DPR must be proactive and make full use of its powers, as outlined in the 1945 Constitution, such as the rights of interpellation, inquiry, and expressing opinions.
“The DPR must have the courage to investigate the alleged Rp 271 trillion state losses from tin corruption, resolve the 2,751 illegal mining cases that remain unsolved, address the 47 fatalities in mining pits in East Kalimantan, combat deforestation, and mitigate the destruction of coastal areas and small islands driven by increased demand for critical minerals,” Ariyansah demanded.
“Transparency and public participation must be enhanced. The DPR should use its authority to improve governance in the energy and natural resource sectors, accelerate the discussions and approval of the RUU EBET, RUU Migas, Draft Law on Climate Change, and Indigenous Peoples, all in line with the principles of social and ecological justice, as part of adapting to and mitigating climate change,” Ariyansah concluded.
Contact Information:
1. Aryanto Nugroho, National Coordinator, PWYP Indonesia
aryanto@pwypindonesia.org
2. Ariyansah Kiliu, Researcher, PWYP Indonesia
ariyansah@pwypindonesia.org