Minister of Investment and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadilia announced the imminent issuance of a coal mining business permit (IUP) to the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board (PBNU) to optimize the role of religious organizations. "Under the direction and consideration of several ministers, and approved by President Jokowi, we will grant a coal mining concession with substantial reserves to PBNU for organizational optimization," Bahlil said in a statement on the Ministry of Investment's YouTube channel, quoted in Jakarta on Monday. He added that the concession permit process is nearing completion and will soon be signed. "Soon, I will sign the IUP for PBNU as the process is almost complete. This is my promise," he stated. Bahlil expressed pride in PBNU, the world's largest Islamic organization from Indonesia, for its significant contributions to national development. "I am proud of NU, as I was born from a mother who was an NU cadre," he said.
President Joko Widodo signed Government Regulation (PP) 25/2024 on Thursday (May 30), amending PP 96/2021 regarding the implementation of mineral and coal mining business activities. Article 83A of PP 25/2024 states that the new regulation permits religious organizations like NU and Muhammadiyah to manage special mining permit areas (WIUPK). Previously, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar mentioned that mining management by community organizations (ormas) would still be conducted professionally through their business wings. She noted that granting rights to community organizations to manage mining is in line with constitutional provisions, which assert human rights to be productive.
