Ecobiz.asia — President Prabowo Subianto has instructed Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to conduct a comprehensive review of mining business permits (IUPs) located in protected forests, conservation areas, national parks, and other forest zones.
The directive was delivered during a government working meeting attended by cabinet members, senior officials, and state-owned enterprise executives at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (April 8, 2026).
Prabowo said the government had identified hundreds of problematic or unclear mining permits operating in forest areas.
“I have received reports of hundreds of unclear mining permits in protected and other forest areas,” he said.
The president stressed that any permits lacking clarity or violating governance principles must be revoked without exception.
“If they are not clear, revoke them all. We no longer have time to tolerate such issues,” he said.
Prabowo also set a tight deadline, instructing the energy minister to complete the evaluation and report back within one week.
“One week. We will revoke all problematic permits. Anything that does not meet the principles must be taken back under state control so we can strengthen our institutions,” he added.
He said the move is part of broader efforts to safeguard national interests and ensure responsible management of natural resources, emphasizing that there is no room for vested interests in the sector.
“We are defending only national and public interests,” he said. ***
