State must not lose against illegal tin mining: Defense Minister

Koba, Bangka Belitung Islands (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin emphasized that the state must not be defeated by the rampant illegal tin ore mining activities in Lubuk Besar Sub-district, Central Bangka, Bangka Belitung Islands.

“We found several illegal tin ore mining activities, and we will follow them up through legal and administrative measures,” Sjamsoeddin said while inspecting the integrated military exercise in Nadi Village, Central Bangka, on Wednesday.

He stated that enforcement actions would not be taken arbitrarily, but based on accurate data collected by the Sovereignty and Law Enforcement Team (PKH), which had previously conducted field investigations in the area.

“Geographically, all activities leading to illegal tin mining have been shut down. However, matters related to regulations will be handed over to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,” he added.

He stressed that the presence of the Indonesian Military (TNI) during the joint exercise in Bangka Belitung is also intended to ensure the security of national strategic resources, especially in the tin mining sector.

The exercise strengthens military presence in areas vulnerable to illegal exploitation and resource-related conflicts.

“The joint exercise in Bangka Belitung involves 41,397 personnel,” he said.

He added that Bangka Belitung Islands was chosen as the location for the joint exercise due to its strategic position along the maritime route between Sumatra and Java, as well as its significant geographic and economic value.

“Bangka Belitung Islands has abundant natural resources and serves as a national strategic commodity that must be safeguarded,” he said.

Last month, President Prabowo Subianto instructed all law enforcement officials to expand efforts to curb illegal mining practices in order to protect state assets worth trillions of rupiah.

Prabowo emphasized that the government wants to ensure Indonesia's natural resource wealth is properly managed for the prosperity of the people.