Speaking before the 2024 Vice Presidential Debate on Sunday, January 21, 2024, third vice-presidential candidate Mahfud MD unveiled the prevalence of numerous illegal mining mafias being shielded or supported by officials and authorities.
Mahfud, currently serving as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, highlighted that this situation posed a significant obstacle to the government’s efforts in addressing environmental resource preservation. He referred to a recent statement from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), stating that illegal mining is widespread in Indonesia, backed by various officials and authorities.
Mahfud expressed disagreement with the solution proposed by the second vice-presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who suggests revoking mining business permits (IUP) for non-compliant operators. According to Mahfud, this approach faces similar challenges, and he admitted to sending a team to the field to investigate the matter. He emphasized the complexities of dealing with IUP issues, highlighting the presence of mafias involved in the process.
In the same debate, Mahfud also shed light on the issue of deforestation in Indonesia, describing it as reaching alarming levels over the past decade. He revealed that the deforestation area is far larger than South Korea and 23 times the size of Madura Island, East Java, where he hails from. The fourth debate of the 2024 Presidential Election discussed sustainable development, natural resources, the environment, energy, food, agrarian issues, indigenous communities, and villages.
