Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, delivers a press statement at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, on Tuesday (10/6). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)
The Government affirms its commitment to transparency and accuracy of information in addressing mining issues in Raja Ampat area. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia regretted the circulation of visual information on social media which was considered not to depict the actual conditions.
Bahlil stated that before making the decision, he and his team had seen the conditions of Gag Island firsthand, including the condition of its marine environment and reclamation.
“So, my fellow countrymen, please be prudent to respond to various information,” said Minister Bahlil in his statement at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, on Tuesday (10/6).
In his statement, the Minister displayed the latest visual documentation of PT Gag Nikel’s mining location, showing the clear sea and mining area that had been partially reclaimed. He said confusing visual information contains risks of creating a wrong perception of government policy.
“So, I apologize, it is not objective, if there are other images that misrepresent the fact,” he added.
On the occasion, Bahlil also emphasized that the visual clarification is important to maintain public trust in the government’s decision-making process.
“We must be wise, able to distinguish between true and fake information because we all want Indonesia to be better,” Bahlil concluded. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information (BPMI) of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/TM)
