Samarinda, September 28, 2025 — The 2025 International Day for Universal Access to Information (Right to Know Day) has served as a sobering reminder for transparency advocates in East Kalimantan. Civil society groups argue that transparency in the mining sector remains superficial, despite 17 years since Indonesia enacted the Public Information Disclosure Law (Law No. 14/2008).
The POKJA 30 Coalition, together with the People’s Faction of Kutai Timur (FRK) and Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia, criticized both government institutions and mining corporations for continuing to withhold data under claims of confidentiality.
“Seventeen years on, transparency in the mining sector has barely moved forward. Authorities too often hide behind the excuse of exemptions. Yet transparency is a fundamental right of every citizen,” said Buyung Marajo, Coordinator of POKJA 30 Kaltim.
Buyung added that the lack of accessible information fuels poor public services and widespread corruption in natural resource management. “When information is hidden, corruption thrives. People are left in the dark about who is responsible for abuses and how revenues are managed,” he noted.
The criticism comes amid an ongoing information dispute between East Kutai residents and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) over key company documents from PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC). Since 2022, local activists Erwin Febrian Syuhada and Junaidi Arifin have sought access to the company’s Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL), Work Plan and Budget (RKAB), and Community Development and Empowerment (PPM) reports. While the Central Information Commission ruled that the documents should be made public, MEMR instead filed a counter-lawsuit at the Jakarta State Administrative Court.
“This is not just about technical paperwork. AMDAL, RKAB, and PPM determine the future of East Kutai’s environment and communities. MEMR’s countersuit is a heavy blow to democracy,” Erwin stressed. Junaidi echoed the concern, saying: “If the state itself refuses to disclose environmental documents, how can the public trust mining governance?”
PWYP Indonesia researcher Muhammad Adzkia Fahrirahman underscored the importance of collaboration between civil society, media, and academia in pushing for greater transparency. “We hope this reflection builds new awareness. Public oversight of the mining sector must become a national priority,” he said.
The event marking Right to Know Day in Samarinda brought together academics, civil society organizations, and environmental activists. Participants agreed that transparency is not just a legal obligation, but the foundation of social justice and equitable natural resource governance.
Source: Koran Kaltim