EXCLUSIVE - Interview with Khalid Muhammad, coordinator of the Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM).

Notes: The Indonesian Mining Advocacy Network or much popularly known with its local acronym JATAM stole the spot light in the local media recently when it called for a moratorium in the country's mining sector. Khalid Muhammad, the coordinator of the network tells us the reason behind the moratorium proposal.

Question: Why do you come to a conclusion that there should be a moratorium in the mining sector?

Answer: As you know, the government has no a clear strategy in developing the country's mineral resources. Since the awarding of the contract of work to Freeport Indonesia 32 years ago, the mining policy has not changed, where emphasis is still focused on how to attract large-scale investors while no much protection is given to the environment and the local residents. And no wonder if the mining activities in Indonesia are so closed to activities related to abuses of human rights, cultural genocide, environmental destruction and violence against women. Moreover, the contribution of the mining sector to total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is only between 1.6 percent and 3 percent. In addition, the sector has also negatively affected the legal and political system. Why? Newmont, for example, when it was ordered by the district court in Minahasa regency to close its mining site for breaching the local law, the government and the higher legal authority pressured the court to cancel its decision. When there was a call to review Freeport's contract of works, the political pressure also played a part. Even former U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger came to Indonesia at that time to try to influence the Indonesian leaders in order to protect the interest of the mining giant. We have given too much sacrifice for an industry, which pays a little attention for the welfare of the people.

Q: What do you really mean by moratorium, then?

A: What JATAM really wants is to close all the country's mining operations. The government should then take a comprehensive change in its mining policy before allowing the resumption of the mining activities. The licensing of new mining operations should be stopped, while sorting out the mining permits which have been issued to investors. The permits which involved KKN or collusion, cronyism and corruption practices should be revoked. The mining companies, which have already operated might be allowed to continue their operations but they should follow new mining standards.

The mining companies should be also willing to settle their conflicts with local residents through negotiations. They have to listen to their aspiration if they want to continue to their operations. The mining companies, the local residents, the provincial authority and the central government should sit together in an equal position to find a solution that will benefit all. The problem-mining firm should show the people that they are willing to operate based on acceptable mining standards. But I doubt if they are willing to do so. If they agree with that approaches, Freeport, for example, will not have dumped its mineral waste or tailing into Wanagon lake or cause a social problem to Amungme and Kamaro tribes.

The ministry of energy and mineral resources should then take a consolidation measure in the country's mining policy by for example working together with other related agencies to review the ecological system. Such a study is needed in establish the tolerable limit for mining activities. At present, the government, particularly the ministry of energy and mineral resources ignores all things related to the protection of the environment. They are so arrogant. If is it is needed, they will change the existing law to enable them to convert protected forests into mining sites. For your information, the government is planning to turn 12 million hectares of forest conservation areas into mining sites. They are no less than plotting to conduct an environmental crime.

Basically we are not an anti-mining operations. What we really want is to establish a mining activity based on justice with a great care on the environment and ecology.

Q: What do you think about a new mining law?

A: To me, the most important thing is how to change the way of thinking of the mining bureaucrats, rather than creating a new law. At present, the decision makers ignore what the people really need. What they know is how to exploit the mineral resources as much as possible without giving any protection to the environment.

Q: What is your suggestion to the existing mining companies?

A: They only have two choices. Listen to the people, or face opposition from them in the form of protests, blockade or strike.

Q: Is JATAM financed by foreign parties?

A: We are very selective in receiving financial assistance. We cannot be ruled and dictated by any body including donators. So far we have never received donation from the U.S. government because it will only provide assistance to those, which agree not to touch American companies.

Q. Are there any mining companies in the country that have operated under a proper mining standard.

A. None. (Alex)