PT Position is called the source of the traditional land conflict in East Halmahera. What’s wrong with state-owned companies that are still building business partnerships?

Viralterkini.id, Jakarta — In the midst of President Prabowo Subianto’s statements repeatedly emphasizing his seriousness in eradicating illegal mining and mining practices that violate the law, the decision of one of the State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) actually caused controversy.

PT PP Presisi Tbk (PPRE), a subsidiary of PT PP (Persero) Tbk which operates in the construction and mining services sector, chose to collaborate with PT Position for a mining project in Maba Village, East Halmahera, North Maluku.

The cooperation contract covers a fairly complete range of mining service work. PPRE will handle land cleaning and preparation (clear and grub), topsoil management and stripping, removal of overburden (waste removal), as well as limonite and saprolite nickel ore production activities. PPRE management views this project as part of its expansion strategy in Eastern Indonesia and a step to strengthen the company’s position in the national mining industry.

PPRE Vice President Corporate Secretary, Mei Elsa Kembaren, stated that the partnership with PT Position was designed to encourage efficient, safe and sustainable operations. He emphasized that PPRE will implement strict work safety standards, use supporting technology, and comply with applicable environmental regulations. According to him, PPRE’s involvement in Maba also shows the contribution of BUMN in supporting the development of the natural resources sector in the region.

However, behind the narrative of expansion and professionalism put forward by management, BUMN’s move to collaborate with PT Position has actually become a new source of disappointment for some North Maluku residents. A number of activists believe that this decision ignores the fact that PT Position has been linked to various conflicts at the local level.

North Maluku activist, Yohanes Masudede, reminded that the name PT Position cannot be separated from the issue of customary land in Maba Sangaji. According to him, land disputes between companies and indigenous communities have resulted in the criminalization of 11 indigenous communities who were defending their customary land. This case, said Yohanes, is not just a note from the past, but a social wound that has not been healed.

“President Prabowo emphasized that he wanted to curb illegal mining and enforce the law in the mining sector. But at the same time, BUMN actually partnered with PT Position, whose track record still has problems with indigenous communities. This makes the public wonder, is the government’s commitment truly consistent?” said Yohanes.

He believes that the inclusion of PPRE as a business partner for PT Position will strengthen the company’s position amidst the unresolved conflict. On the other hand, people who feel disadvantaged are actually facing greater power, because the company they are questioning now has additional legitimacy through collaboration with BUMN.

According to Yohanes, this collaboration cannot only be seen as a mining business and technical matter. In Maba, the presence of mining companies is always intertwined with issues of living space, loss of traditional land, and major changes to the surrounding environment. Therefore, he considers it very wrong if the state, through BUMN, takes steps without first ensuring justice for the affected residents.

PPRE itself is trying to allay concerns by reaffirming its commitment to regulatory compliance. The company stated that the project with PT Position will be implemented based on valid permits, adequate technical studies and coordination with related parties. Management is also optimistic that the project in East Halmahera will improve operational performance and expand the utilization of the company’s heavy equipment fleet.

However, for civil society networks, this statement does not yet touch the heart of the problem. They believe that administrative compliance does not necessarily answer questions about how land conflicts, criminalization and the rights of indigenous peoples will be resolved. Without real support for the citizens who have been the victims, it is feared that the jargon of sustainability and good governance will only become icing on the cake in press releases.

At the national level, the government continues to promote discourse on restructuring the mining sector, controlling illegal mining and strengthening law enforcement. However, in the field, Maba residents actually witnessed the company they were questioning getting new breath through collaboration with BUMN. It is this contrast between political speeches and concrete steps that puts public trust at stake again.

For communities around the mine, the announcement of the PPRE–PT Position contract not only means increased heavy equipment activity around them, but also the reemergence of concerns about the future of the land and the environment. They are worried that their living space will become increasingly narrow, while previous experience shows that voices of protest are often met with oppressive legal processes.

In the midst of this situation, this cooperation polemic is a symbol of a big question that addresses the government itself: is the state really ready to organize the mining sector in a way that supports justice for the community, or does controlling illegal mining only apply to parties who are not connected to power and big business networks? BUMN’s decision to collaborate with PT Position has made this question increasingly prominent among new students and in the eyes of the wider public. (ma)