Sorong, Jubi – The Indigenous Moi community’s Klagilit clan has called on PT Megapura Prima Industri (MPI) and PT Gelora Indo Mandiri (GIM) to take responsibility for a 10.2-hectare coal mining site that was cleared and abandoned without a clear resolution.
The traditional landowners are seeking clarification over a company asset guarantee reportedly valued at around Rp17 billion, as well as assurances about site safety and the market value of coal left exposed at the mine.
The demands were raised by customary landowners Esau Klgilit and Obet Klagilit during measurement of the cleared mining area within PT MPI’s mining concession in Moisegen District, Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The measurement was intended to reinforce their demands over an unresolved dispute. The clan says it has waited months for the companies to take responsibility since mining operation ceased in mid-2025.
The Klagilit clan questioned who was responsible for the cleared land, why operations had stopped without an official explanation, and why the companies had not provided certainty over an asset guarantee previously discussed verbally.
The clan also raised concerns about coal left exposed at the site, citing previous experiences with the rehabilitation of former mining areas and coal fires.
Esau Klagilit said the community had been waiting for the company to take responsibility for about one year and seven months but had yet to receive a response.
“We decided to measure the coal mining area that had already been cleared because we have been waiting for around one year and seven months for the company to take responsibility for the land it cleared,” Esau told Jubi after the measurement at the abandoned mining site.
He said company representatives had previously made verbal assurances that they would take responsibility for the land, but no follow-up action had been taken to the community’s satisfaction.
Esau called on the government and relevant authorities to pay attention to the clan’s situation and help convey its demands to the companies.
He said the dispute needed to be resolved, adding that the community did not want land cleared for mining to become a source of ongoing uncertainty while traditional landowners continued to wait for answers and accountability.
Meanwhile, Ober Klagilit questioned why mining operations on the clan’s customary land had ceased.
He said PT Gelora Indo Mandiri had been involved in carrying out mining activities at the site.
However, according to Ober, operations stopped without the community being informed of the difficulties faced by the company or the reasons behind the suspension.
“To this day, we have not received a clear explanation of the problems or what caused the operation to stop,” Obet said.
He said the situation had left the Klagilit clan facing losses and uncertainty, with more than 10 hectares of customary land already cleared for mining.
Obet said the companies must take responsibility for the cleared land, including any fires that might occur in the mining area.
“If fire occurs in the area, which covers more than 10 hectares of cleared land, the company must explain what happened and take responsibility for the losses we are raising,” he said.
The clan also questioned the nature of the reported Rp17 billion assed guarantee, including which assets were pledged, who was responsible for the guarantee and what mechanism were available to resolve the dispute.
“We also insist that the issue of the asses guarantee must not be separated form responsibility for the condition of the cleared land and the coal exposed after the overburden was removed,” Obet said.
He said the community was concerned about site safety, coal quality, the risk of fire and the certainty of the market value of the exposed coal.
The clan called on PT MPI and PT GIM to explained the current condition of the site, the safety measures in place and who was responsible for managing the area while mining operations remained suspended.
The companies were also urged to ensure that rehabilitation and mine closure obligations were fulfilled in accordance with applicable regulations.
The clan said an inspection by the relevant authorities was needed to establish the site’s current condition and determine what measures were required.
It did not want land previously cleared for mining to create further problems for the traditional landowners, Ober said.
“We urge the central government, the Governor of Southwest Papua and the Sorong Regent to give immediate attention to the problems we are facing,” he said.
Obet called on the central and regional governments to facilitate a meeting between Indigenous community and PT MPI and PT GIM to clarify the suspension of mining operations, the status of the asset guarantee and responsibility for the clear land.
The government was also urged to ensure that the relevant authorities inspected the mining site, including the exposed coal, potential fire risks and the companies’ rehabilitation and mine closure obligations.
Obet said government involvement was necessary to ensure the community received clear answer and prevent dispute from dragging on.
The Klagilit clan outlined three main demands.
First, it called on PT MPI and/or PT GIM to honour their previously stated commitment regarding the company asset guarantee by clarifying its form, status, value and the process for its realisation.
Second, it demanded that both companies ensure the safety and proper management of the exposed coal, protect its quality and market value, and explain how the site was being managed while operations remained suspended.
Third, it urged the central government, the Governor of Southwest Papua and the Sorong Regent to take steps towards resolving the dispute, ensure the companies provide explanations and oversee compliance with applicable regulations.
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