President cautions leaders over exploitation

Jakarta: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged members of his administration and local leaders to be thoughtful before issuing permits allowing companies to exploit natural resources.

“I need to remind all related officials, both at the central government and local administrations, not to issue natural resources exploration permits too easily. Don’t be too generous in issuing permits, particularly when local elections are about to come,” Yudhoyono said.

He made the statement on Thursday during a national working meeting, which was attended by hundreds of high-level officials and local leaders from across the nation.

Although he did not point to a particular case, the remarks could relate to land disputes which have led to fatalities, including in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, and in Lampung, Sumatra.

A recent clash between locals and police officers in Bima is believed to have been triggered by an allegedly flawed permit issued to a gold mining company.