Reject Mining on Bangka Island for the Benefit of the People!

Please immediately sign this petition & pass it on — before December 21st, 4 PM CET (Central European Time) only!

Bangka Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, a small island, is home to 750 families many of whom are fishermen who have made their living in these waters for generations. Bangka's stunning underwater seascapes are world renowned and are growing in popularity among international tourists.

Bangka Island itself is home to many unique terrestrial animals as well, such as the endemic Sulawesi cuscus and tarsier. Bangka's reefs also support Dugongs, a species of protected marine mammal.

Bangka Island is about to be destroyed by a Chinese mining company:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azAQKHvT4IE

————————————————————————————————————

Reasons and legal basis for the rejections are as follows:

1. Bangka Island is a small island as stipulated in Indonesian Law No. 27 of 2007 about Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands. The Letter of Decree (SK) Exploration IUP granted to PT. Mikgro Metal Perdana is nothing more but a personal interest of the Regent of North Minahsa and the Governor of North Sulawesi.

2. As stipulated in Government Regulation No. 26 of 2008 on National Spatial Plan Jo Government Regulation 50 of 2011 on National Tourism Development Plans, Bangka Island is part of the Bunaken National Park supporting area whose aims is the strategic areas of Tourism and Conservation, therefore the Exploration permit granted to PT. Mikgro Metal Perdana is nothing more than again personal interest of the Regent of North Minahsa and the Governor of North Sulawesi.

3. Based on Act 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining, Article 165 Jo Regulation 22 of 2010 on Mining Areas, indicated the abuse of authority by the Regent of the North Minahasa by issued the Exploration permit over areas that have not been designated as Regional Mining Exploration IUP.

4. In accordance with Law No. 32 of 2009 on the Protection and Environmental Management Jo Government Regulation No. 27 of 2012 about the Environmental Permit. It is required that first the company has to complete the Environmental Impact Assessment document, to get the Decree for Environmental Feasibility Permit and after possesing it then the Regent of North Minahasa can issue Exploration Permit, the Exploration Permit granted to PT. Mikgro Metal Perdana is breaking this law.

5. Almost the entire areas of the 2000 hectares concession granted is a Limited Production Forest Zone status. It must have a special permit from the Ministry of Forestry through the Governor prior to exploration activities. Again this exploration permit is so clearly contrary to Law No. 41/1999 on Forestry.

Herewith I send my signed rejection letter to the Head of the Environmental Office of North Minahasa (BPLH) for further action.

————————————————————————————————————

Save Bangka Island — Stop Small Island Mining!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveBangkaIsland