Jayapura, Jubi – John Magal, the chairman of the Amungme Community Institution (LEMASA) or Amungme Nagawan, expressed regret over the visit of a team from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) failing to meet and observe residents directly affected by tailings from PT Freeport Indonesia‘s mining activities.
“They should have also seen the conditions of residents around the mining area, such as those living in Banti, Tsinga, and Arwanop. It is the duty of the state to observe the conditions of every Indonesian citizen,” said John Magal via WhatsApp to Jubi on Thursday (8/2/2024).
He added that as a citizen and leader of LEMASA, he deeply regrets that the visit was only to Freeport’s reclamation area in Tembagapura District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province.
“They should have directly observed the conditions of the people at locations directly affected by tailings and also residents around the mining area,” he added.
John Magal mentioned having sent a letter to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Directorate General of Forestry and Environmental Planning, the Directorate of Environmental Impact Prevention of Business and Activities in Jakarta in June 2023.
“The ministry has responded to the letter because our request was for the Environmental Impact Analysis (AMDAL) to be suspended temporarily as it did not involve representatives of affected communities,” said Magal.
He personally wrote to the Minister of Environment and Forestry in Jakarta and until now, their request to meet with KLHK officials in Jakarta has not been fulfilled.
“Yes, I wrote to KLHK in Jakarta, and someone else met with them,” he said.
He stated that for nearly 50 years, their community as landowners has remained spectators, witnessing the wealth extracted from the bowels of Amungsa in Nemangkawi.
“Yes, we have been mere spectators for a long time,” he said.
Meanwhile, through its release, the Secretary of the Directorate General of Forestry and Environmental Planning, Herban Hendrayana, explained that Freeport has made various efforts in environmental management, and they hope this will continue and improve.
“The team planted Dechampsia Klossii, an endemic grass species found in Grasberg. Planting was done at Batu Bersih Grasberg at an altitude of 4,300 meters above sea level,” said Herban.
The KLHK and Bappenas team visited Mimika from Saturday, February 3 to Monday, February 5, 2024, to get a closer look at environmental management in mining areas and review community empowerment programs at PT Freeport Indonesia. (*)
