ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia has launched an unprecedented security crackdown at its two largest nickel industrial hubs—Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) in Central Sulawesi and Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) in North Maluku—following a formal takeover of command and control on 21 November 2025.
The government’s intensified presence marks a turning point in how the state safeguards nickel—Indonesia’s most strategic mineral—and closes long-standing loopholes in logistics, transportation, and export flows.
Barita Simanjuntak, Head of the Expert Team to the Attorney General and spokesperson for the Integrated Task Force for Forest Area Enforcement (Satgas PKH), emphasized the government’s uncompromising stance.
“The state will not stop dismantling illegal activities that harm national resources,” Barita said in Jakarta quoted on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
Two Major Illegal Nickel Cases Exposed in Just Two Weeks
The Integrated Task Force reported two major breakthroughs, highlighting years of regulatory vulnerabilities in IMIP and IWIP.
1. Naval Interception of Illegal Nickel Ore Shipment — November 25, 2025.
The Indonesian Navy intercepted two vessels near Mandiodo, North Konawe, carrying nickel ore allegedly bound for IMIP.
The vessels, owned by PT PMH and carrying ore from PT DMS, were found to: operate from an illegal jetty, carry no valid transport documents, lack a Movement Permit (SPOG), violate mining (Minerba) and maritime regulations, both ships were escorted to the Navy base in Kendari for prosecution.
2. Attempted Nickel Powder Smuggling at IWIP Airport — December 5, 2025.
TNI Air Force special forces (Kopasgat) arrested a foreign national, identified as MY, at the IWIP private airport. Authorities seized: 5 packages of mixed nickel powder, 4 packages of pure nickel powder.
The smuggled material was intended to be flown to Manado using Super Air Jet.
The case, officials stated, demonstrates the effectiveness of deploying state officers at industrial zones that previously operated as “government-free” enclaves.
Integrated Task Force Locks Down All Access Points
The multi-agency team now stationed across IMIP and IWIP includes: customs, immigration, quarantine, BMKG, AirNav Indonesia, Aviation security (Avsec), TNI and Polri, The Attorney General’s Office.
This joint command aims to: close regulatory loopholes, secure the strategic nickel supply chain, ensure compliance with maritime and aviation laws, prevent leakage and smuggling that undermine national interests.
Defense Minister Sjafrie Exposes Long-Standing Regulatory “Anomalies”
Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin issued a sharp warning about years of weak security oversight in nickel-producing regions.
Speaking at Hasanuddin University in Makassar, on December 10, 2025, he revealed a troubling pattern:
“People have been leaving ports without inspection. People walk through airport gates without being checked.”
He stressed that many smugglers were caught recently because they still assumed the old “no-inspection culture” remained intact.
Sjafrie also disclosed staggering economic losses from two decades of under-invoicing, describing it as the work of “enemies within the system” who resist Indonesia’s economic rise.
“We lost roughly US$800 billion due to under-invoicing over 20 years.”
Investment Welcome, But Compliance Is Non-Negotiable
Barita Simanjuntak insisted the crackdown is not hostile to investors. Instead, it is a necessary step to ensure Indonesia’s nickel downstreaming is clean, legal, and accountable.
“Investment can proceed, but compliance with the Republic of Indonesia is mandatory for everyone.”
The government will expand enforcement to illegal mining areas in Morowali, Weda Bay, and Bangka, reaffirming its commitment to protect economic sovereignty.
“With intensified control at IMIP and IWIP, the government signals that the era of unchecked nickel extraction and smuggling is over,” Barita stressed. (AT Network)
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