JATAM | Mining Advocacy Network

JATAM Press Release, 23 October 2009

At the time SBY having his second inauguration at Senayan for his second period of presidential regime, police troops violently confronting Kulon Progo communities for protesting against the PT Jogja Mangasa Iron (Australia). The foreign company plans to have south coast of Kulon Progo as their mining site. The brutality ended with 41 people injured. What happened that day is an example of how the government has put foreign investor interest as higher priority then the fate of local communities which rely on the sand dune agriculture as their livelihood.

On 20 October 2009, thousand of Kulon Progo community marched to local government of Kulon Progo office, stating their voice of resistance. They refuse public consultation offered by the company and saying no to the mining. Consultation which had been declined previously was considered to be merely a strategy to legitimize and move further on their plan.

PT Jogja Mangasa Iron (JMI) received their controversial contract of work on 4 November 2008, at time the parliament was drafting Mineral and Coal constitution. It such a controversy, in one hand they strongly criticize contract of work regulated in law no. 11 1967 and in another hand releasing permit for PT JMI one month before the new constitution legitimize.

Indo Mine Ltd originated from Australia holds 70% of PT JMI share. They plan to operate in 22 Km long, 2.8 Km wide start form southern coast of Kulon Progo to Bogowoto RIver in Jogjakarta. The extraction put 123.601 farmers and fishers on risk, it will take the livelihood of people who have been live there for tens of years.

Another risk certainly waiting if PT JMI plan executed is a massive abrasion. Kulon Progo coast directly open to Indian Ocean. Damaged ecosystem will not be able to hold or weaken strong current and sea wind before they reach inner terrestrial. Not to mention regarding the fact that the site lies in area prone to earthquake and tsunami.

Having the plan continue, certainly would destroy a unique ecosystem, moving sand dune in Kulon Progo which also serve as a migration corridor of migratory birds. Dr. Dja’far Shiddieq, soil expert from Gadjah Mada University, mentioned that the sand dune in southern Jogjakarta, including Kulon Progo is one of only three moving sand dunes in the world.

Ironically, concern of the people is not the main interest of local government. Protest has been held many times, but the government insisted that mining would bring welfare to the people. The fact is, not a single big mining has proofed its contribution in local people welfare. Name PT Freeport and Strait Resources in Papuan or Rio Tinto in Kalimantan or Laverton Gold in Sumatera as few examples. Local communities have to face many pressure, human rights violation, and poverty which continuously worsening up to present.

“JATAM declares protest to the violence done by the police in order to secure PT JMI interests. Local government should have used their common sense. Bending over backward to support or protect PT JMI will only bring us to higher poverty, since the economic mining brings are a prone, short term, volatile or heavily dependent on market, and threat people’s safety kind of one. It is nothing compare to sustainable economic the Kulon Progo communities have been developing on the sand dune, since tens of year ago” said Siti Maemunah, National Coordinator of JATAM.

JATAM supports Kulon Progo communities resistance to iron ore mining in their home. Violence record done so far is a foretold story of worse threat to people’s safety in the future. JATAM insist for government and Indonesia parliament to nullify  PT JMI contract of work and immediately support local sustainable economic development developed by the people.[ ]