Indonesian president orders intensified crackdown on illegal mining.
This is proof that the government is serious and determined to eradicate smuggling, eradicate illegal mining, and eradicate all those who violate the law;
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered law enforcement agencies to step up efforts against illegal mining and smuggling, particularly in tin-rich regions, state news agency Antara reported.
Prabowo on Monday visited Pangkal Pinang, capital of Bangka Belitung Islands Province, to witness the handover of confiscated state assets from illegal mining cases to state-owned tin miner PT Timah.
The Attorney General’s Office recently seized six tin smelters in the province in a corruption case with an estimated state loss of 300 trillion Indonesian rupiahs (about 18 billion dollars).
Calling the seizures “a proud achievement”, Prabowo urged the Attorney General’s Office, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Customs and Excise Office, and the Maritime Security Agency to sustain joint operations.
“This is proof that the government is serious and determined to eradicate smuggling, eradicate illegal mining, and eradicate all those who violate the law,” he said.
Last month, Prabowo instructed the TNI, National Police, and Customs and Excise Office to launch a large-scale operation in Bangka Belitung to close smuggling routes for tin products.
He noted that almost 80 per cent of the country’s tin output is smuggled annually, often via small vessels.
The president estimated that ongoing enforcement could save the state up to 22 trillion rupiahs (around 1.32 billion dollars) by the end of this year.