The Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka administration is facing intense backlash after allowing nickel mining operations to continue on Gag Island in Raja Ampat, a protected conservation area.
Environmental watchdog Jatam (Mining Advocacy Network) condemned the move as a “betrayal of public ethics” and a clear violation of multiple Indonesian environmental laws.
“This is not only a legal violation, but a disgraceful act of collusion between political power and corporate interests. PT Gag Nikel’s operation on a small protected island is a crime against Indonesia’s environment and indigenous rights,” Muhamad Jamil, Head of Jatam's Legal Division, said on Wednesday, January 11, 2025.
Despite revoking the licenses of four mining companies in Raja Ampat, the government has allowed PT Gag Nikel to continue operations. The company, majority-owned by state mining company PT Antam, holds a Contract of Work and operates directly on Gag Island − designated as a small island conservation area under Law No. 1/2014. This law strictly prohibits mining activities on small islands to preserve fragile ecosystems and protect local communities.
Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia defended the decision, citing the company’s legal status and government ownership. He also claimed that the mining operation complies with the Environmental Impact Assessment (Amdal).
Jatam, however, refutes these claims. “The existence of a Contract of Work or SOE ownership does not legalize the destruction of small islands or override constitutional protection for indigenous lands,” Jamil stressed.
Furthermore, Jatam pointed to conflicts of interest embedded in the company's leadership. PT Gag Nikel’s board includes Ahmad Fahrur Rozi (Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama’s youth wing), Lana Saria (Advisor to Minister Bahlil), and other individuals reportedly close to political power. Jatam argues that these political affiliations raise suspicions of impunity and legal favoritism.
The organization also referenced the Constitutional Court Ruling No. 35/PUU-XXI/2023, which upheld the ban on mining in small islands after rejecting an appeal by another nickel company. In addition, Jatam argues the government has violated Article 134(2) of the Mining Law No. 3/2020, which explicitly prohibits mining in restricted areas under other legislation.
Calling the continued mining on Gag Island a “dangerous precedent” for future resource management, Jatam issued four urgent demands:
1. Immediate revocation of PT Gag Nikel’s mining permit and full halt to all operations on Gag Island.
2. Independent environmental and social audits of mining impacts in Raja Ampat.
3. Restoration of indigenous land rights to the local communities of Gag Island.
4. Political and moral accountability from President Prabowo for the ongoing ecological damage.
“If President Prabowo and Minister Bahlil continue enabling corporate destruction in protected areas,” Jamil warned, “they are paving the way for Indonesia’s collapse from the periphery − starting with Raja Ampat.”
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