ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — East Kalimantan is entering one of the worst ecological crises in its history.
Member of Commission XII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Syafruddin, revealed that at least 1,700 abandoned coal mine pits have been left unreclaimed, turning them into permanent death traps for local communities and a severe threat to the region’s ecosystems.
He described the situation as a systemic environmental crime, enabled by weak state oversight and persistent non-compliance by coal mining companies.
During a working meeting with the Minister of Environment and Forestry at the Parliament Complex in Senayan on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Syafruddin warned that East Kalimantan is sitting on the edge of a major ecological disaster, driven by large-scale coal mining that has stripped forests and wiped out hundreds of tributaries essential to local hydrology.
“East Kalimantan is extremely prone to natural disasters. We need serious and decisive action from the Ministry of Environment,” he asserted.
Coal Mine Pits Become Deadly Traps
To date, 51 children have died after falling into unreclaimed coal mine pits—giant pools of toxic water left without fencing, warning signs, or post-mining restoration.
These abandoned pits not only pose a lethal threat to communities but also contaminate rivers through acid mine drainage, degrade land, and heighten the risk of landslides.
Coal Companies Accused of Negligence as State Oversight Falters
Syafruddin accused numerous coal operators of blatantly ignoring reclamation obligations. He said weak law enforcement has allowed abandoned pits to accumulate year after year.
He urged the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to tighten environmental impact assessment (AMDAL) requirements and impose serious penalties on violators.
“Irresponsible companies must face strict sanctions—administrative punishment, suspension of operations, and even license revocation if necessary,” he said.
Parliament to Identify Companies Behind Abandoned Pits
Syafruddin announced plans to conduct field inspections during the upcoming recess to document each abandoned coal mine pit and identify the companies responsible. The aim is to ensure transparency and inform the public about which companies comply with regulations—and which do not.
“We want the public to know which companies act responsibly and which ones violate the rules,” he emphasized.
East Kalimantan at a Breaking Point
With escalating environmental destruction and mounting fatalities, Syafruddin stressed that disaster mitigation must become a national priority.
He insisted that coal companies must share responsibility, rather than prioritizing profit over public safety and environmental stewardship.
“If we fail to act quickly, the scale of the disaster will only grow,” he warned. (AT Network)
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