- Title: Indonesian Batak Protestant Churches (HKBP) Declined Jokowi’s Offer of Mining Concession
- Archive Type: News
- Published: June 10, 2024
- Website/Publisher: CNBC Indonesia
- Available File(s): Photos
- Keywords: Extractivism, Christianity, Indonesian Batak Protestant Churches, HKBP, Robinson Butarbutar, mining concession.
- Link: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20240610104117-20-1107908/hkbp-tolak-tawaran-izin-kelola-tambang
After President Joko Widodo’s administration granted mining concessions to religious organizations (ormas masyarakat), people were outraged. Among them, religious offices, such as Indonesian Batak Protestant Churches (Huria Kristen Batak Protestan; HKBP), refused to accept this license concession “offered” by the president.
The chairman (ephorus) of HKBP Robinson Butarbutar responded to CNBC Indonesia by proving with several reasons. He said that according to the 1996 HKBP Confession, his organization feels responsible for protecting the environment that has been exploited by mankind in the name of development for a long time. He also added that the exploitation has caused environmental damage and unstoppable warming of the earth, which both are concerning to church leaders.
Strengthening the HKBP’s stance, he urged, “We at the same time call on the government in our country to act firmly against miners who in carrying out their duties are not subject to laws that have regulated environmentally friendly mining.”
According to Tempo.co, Hutabarat also cites several bible verses that suggest human responsibilities of making life sustainable. “With this: We testify to man’s responsibility to preserve all of God’s creation so that man may work healthy, and prosper (Ps. 8:4-10). We oppose any activity that damages the environment such as burning and cutting down trees in the forest or wilderness (Deut. 5:20;19-30),” he concludes.
With HKBP, other Christian religious bodies, such as Communion of Churches in Indonesia (Persekutuan Gereja-gereja Indonesia; PGI) and Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (Konferensi Waligereja Indonesia; KWI) also declined the concession grant and called to actions against environmental exploitation as appearing in extractive industries.
Photo(s)
Source(s)
- Michelle Gabriela, “HKBP Tolak Konsesi Izin Tambang Jokowi, Berikut Profil Huria Kristen Batak Protestan,” Tempo.co, June 11, 2024, https://www.tempo.co/politik/hkbp-tolak-konsesi-izin-tambang-jokowi-berikut-profil-huria-kristen-batak-protestan-50472.
- Persekutuan Gereja-gereja Indonesia, “HKBP Tolak Izin Pengelolaan Tambang,” Berita Gereja PGI, June 9, 2024, https://pgi.or.id/hkbp-tolak-izin-pengelolaan-tambang/
- M. Rosseno Aji Nugroho, “Gereja HKBP Tolak Kelola Izin Tambang dari Jokowi, Ini Alasannya,” CNBC Indonesia, June 8, 2024, https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20240608132344-4-544927/gereja-hkbp-tolak-kelola-izin-tambang-dari-jokowi-ini-alasannya
- Nina Susilo and Mawar K. Wulan, “Why Is the Right of Mass Organizations to Manage Mines Receiving Criticism?,” Kompas.id, June 11, 2024, https://www.kompas.id/baca/english/2024/06/10/en-kenapa-hak-ormas-kelola-tambang-menuai-kritik.
Written by Abel K. Aruan (November 16, 2024); Edited by Abel K. Aruan (January 11, 2025).