KALTIMPOST.ID, SAMARINDA – Illegal coal mining has been carried out in the Bukit Soeharto conservation area and the Indonesian Capital City (IKN) for nearly a decade. The illegal practice was uncovered after the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) uncovered 351 coal containers, heavy equipment, the use of forged documents, and three suspects on July 17, 2025.
The Indonesian Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Coalition stated that this can no longer be called an incident, but rather a systemic failure. The state incurred losses of up to IDR 5.7 trillion during that period: IDR 3.5 trillion from coal depletion and IDR 2.2 trillion from environmental damage.
“How could illegal mining have operated for so long in the IKN area without being detected?” said PWYP researcher Adzkia Farirahman in an official release, Sunday, July 20, 2025.
He urged more than just criminal charges. A comprehensive investigation capable of uncovering this illegal practice is crucial. The activity clearly cannot be confined to the three suspects already named by the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim).
There are strong suspicions of the involvement of other parties, including legal miners, transportation services, shipping companies, ports, and related officials.
The police have also identified the modus operandi. The coal was collected in a warehouse. To ship it, the perpetrators used forged documents so the black gold could pass through the Kariangau Port Terminal in East Kalimantan and sail to Tanjung Perak, Surabaya.
The man, familiarly known as Azil, also criticized the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources’ weak oversight and enforcement. This case, he said, demonstrates the inadequacy of that function.
On the other hand, the task force for handling illegal mining established by the Capital City Authority (OIKN) two years ago has proven to be ineffective.
“The proof is that after two years of work, no large-scale operations like this have ever been uncovered,” he asserted.
Buyung Marajo, a member of the Indonesian PWYP Coalition and Coordinator of Working Group 30, added that the Criminal Investigation Agency’s (Bareskrim) revelations are commendable. However, he said that this case is not the only one regarding illegal mining in East Kalimantan.
This case highlights the weak oversight of the relevant authorities, including the Regional Police, the local government, and other law enforcement agencies.
“Don’t let the public suspect something is wrong. How could this case only come to light after the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) intervened?” he quipped.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia’s statement that they only handle licensed mines is clearly a poor answer. It demonstrates the government’s inability to mitigate similar incidents in the future.
“Don’t forget, there’s an official document being used here. The Mining Permit (IUP) is a requirement for shipping. The document used is suspected to be fake, but because it’s a document, the coal can be shipped,” he said.
This illegal practice has been going on since 2016, nearly a decade. This means that illicit funds have been circulating in the state treasury for almost 10 years.
Source: Kaltim Post