Another Islamic organisation accepts involvement in mining projects
After the Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah accepts President Joko Widodo’s proposal for religious organisations to run mining projects. Indonesia’s Catholic Church rejected the offer outright, but critical voices have also emerged in Indonesia’s Islamic organisations.
Jakarta (Indonesia) – Indonesia's second-largest Islamic organisation has accepted the Indonesian government's proposal to get involved in mining projects.
Muhammadiyah President Haedar Nasir justified the decision after the organisation met in Yogyakarta earlier this week, saying that it would bring "huge financial benefits".
“If we were only occupied with our own needs, we would have said no to such decision,” he explained, but “We are obligated to be compassionate with others.”
Nasir noted that the decision was agreed upon by everyone at the meeting, stressing that public prosperity and environmental protection will not be sacrificed.
“If the projects are mismanaged, Muhammadiyah will not hesitate to return the Business Management License (IUP),” he said.
A moderate organisation, Muhammadiyah is the second religious organisation to accept the offer made by President Joko Widodo, whose mandate expires in October.
A few months ago, the Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, had also agreed to the proposal.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia rejected the offer, saying that mining “is certainly not the Church’s core business”.
Several times President Widodo said that he wants mining profits “to be enjoyed by religious groups rather than only provide huge financial benefits to business entities.”
Following this argument, Muhammadiyah agreed to get involved in mining projects. Its secretary, Abdul Mu'ti, announced that the licence was accepted based on certain considerations, including the fact that the constitution authorises the exploitation of resources for the benefit of all Indonesians, and that Muhammadiyah had authorised, at an internal meeting, the promotion of economic activities.
This requires cooperation with experienced business groups, while the licence will have a time limit.
The decision did not go unchallenged within Muhammadiyah. Its former president, Busyro Muqoddas, who was not present at the meeting when the proposal was accepted, repeatedly criticised the decision.
“It is serious thing to accept the coal mining licence, like a natural disaster," he told media on Tuesday, adding that he wants Indonesians to realise the environmental damage caused by the quest for large profits.
Muqoddas is the current head of the Muhammadiyah's legal and human rights office. In the past, he had pointed out that mining projects violate Indigenous peoples' land rights, from land grabbing.
Conflicts have been reported in Purworejo, a district on Rempang Island, Riau province.
Muqoddas also said that his position was supported by 11 other top Muhammadiyah members, including another former president, Din Syamsuddin.
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13/11/2016 13:14
