Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) aggressively takes an action to prevent corruption in natural resource sector by using Coordination and Supervision mechanism. In 2014, KPK initiated Coordination and Supervision for mineral and coal sector aiming to improve mineral and coal governance in Indonesia. The initiative was conducted in 12 provinces representing 70% mining permits in Indonesia.
Numerous achievements have been shown. The most significant one was the huge increase in non-tax revenue from coal sector reaching Rp 10 trillion, though at the same time its price decreased 30% compared to the previous year and ore export was banned. 810 mining permits in 12 provinces has been revoked because of several factors, such as expired, overlapped with other concession, and other administrative issues. Looking at these positive results, KPK duplicate its program in another 19 provinces this year and also expand its scope to palm oil as well as forestry sector.
However, Maryati Abdullah, National Coordinator PWYP Indonesia, explained that corruption eradication in natural resource sector can’t be done only by KPK. The support from civil society is needed to make such effort beneficial for the society. Therefore, PWYP Indonesia attempted to consolidate with its partners and networks to build strategy for CSOs to support the KPK’s initiative to improve natural resource governance, especially for mineral and coal sector.
CSO’s consolidation was held in Jakarta on March 12-13, 2015. Around 25 national and local CSOs attended to discuss advocacy strategy in order to support Coordination and Supervision KPK in mineral and coal sector. As the opening session, Sujatmiko, Program Director of Mineral and Coal Development and Ahmad Redi, Mining Law Expert, delivered the presentation on the consequence of Local Government Reform Act 2014 to mining permits revocation as the recommendation of Coordination and Supervision KPK.
At the final session, the participants agreed to conduct creative action to support KPK that has been weaken through criminalization toward its leaders. Such situation will bring negative impact on corruption eradication agenda in natural resources sector, leading to further natural resources destruction and at worst, mafia played in those sector remain untouched.