REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- General Manager Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Yahya Cholil Staquf insists it has never asked the government to obtain a mine concession. According to a familiar figure named Gus Yahya, the granting of a coal mining business license (IUP) was the government's own desire, not a religious body.
The existence of Government Regulation (PP) Number 25 of 2024 opens up opportunities for religious community organizations (ormas) to manage coal mining ventures. The bill was issued at the end of President Joko Widodo's reign last year.
“Regarding granting mining concessions to NU, this is the government's agenda, this is the government's program. Because NU is instead asking. We never asked for it,” Gus Yahya said when he met at PBNU Office, Central Jakarta, Monday (14/1/2025).
“We didn't listen to that either. Suddenly, the government created this program and handed it over to NU,” he added.
Following the publication of PP No. 25/2024, according to Gus Yahya, the government can guide those organizations that declare their willingness to accept IUP, including in terms of mining management design. He said that PBNU will also follow the existing guidelines.
“Because NU is not a business company. It's a community social organization. This (management of the --Red mine) is all under the guidance of the government, and we stay tuned,” Gus Yahya said.
“We are asked to form a cooperative entity, we form. Then form a PT company (limited liability company), we form. And so on. Further, stage by stage, this is all guided by the government,” he explained.
Recently, PBNU has obtained a Special IUP. In practice, Gus Yahya committed that it will meet the standards of environmental impact due to mining activities, in accordance with the statutory rules.
“NU has no interest in outsmarting the government's rules about the environment. So, God willing, all environmental impact management standards from mining will be met by NU later, as required by the government,” Gus Yahya said.
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