Minister turns down Riau's mining bylaw

Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had called on the Riau provincial administration to revoke its new mining bylaw, saying it was in contravention with the existing law, Azzam weely reported.

Bambang said the bylaw could not be made or implemented until the government issued governmental regulations on the implementation of the Autonomy Law No 22/1999.

The Riau provincial administration proposed the bylaw No. 15/1999 to the provincial council on Nov. 11, 1999 and it was approved by the council on Dec. 13, 1999.

The bylaw allows the provincial administration to take over the rights of licensing mining operations, including oil and gas, from the central government.

The provincial councilors and businessmen protested Bambang's move, saying the move reflected the arrogance of the central government, the weekly said. (*)