Controversies continue over South Kalimantan's illegal coal mining policy

Controversies continued in South Kalimantan over the anti-illegal coal mining team's policy to allow the sale of illegal coal mining.

Tabrani Tjakra, head of the provincial council's commission for mines and energy, said the anti-illegal coal mining team, which was established by the provincial administration, should have consulted the policy with the provincial council prior to its implementation.

"Any kind of tax should be consulted with the council," he was quoted by Kapos daily as saying on Monday.

The anti-illegal coal mining team has allowed illegal miners to sell their coal, which have been confiscated by the team, provided that they paid Rp 15,000 (US$=Rp 8,900) per ton in tax to the provincial administration.

The team has thus far confiscated about one million tons of coal from illegal miners.

Head of the province's mines and energy office earlier criticized the policy, saying it would encourage illegal coal mining activities. He proposed the confiscated coal be sold to public through tender.

But, chief prosecutor of the province Zukri Karimin voiced supports to the team's policy

"If the coal is sold through an open tender, the proceeds will go the Ministry of Mines and Energy (rather than the provincial administration)," Zukri said. (*)