Former Indonesian Minister Named CEO of Nickel Miner Amid Raja Ampat Controversy

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Nickel mining activities on Manuran Island, Supnin District, Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, August 27, 2024. Sumaryanto Bronto/Greenpeace

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The name Freddy Numberi has surfaced in connection with one of the companies holding a Mining Business Permit (Izin Usaha Pertambangan/IUP) in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua.

The former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, who served from 2004 to 2009, is currently listed as the Chief Executive Officer of PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining.

PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining is among the five companies granted IUPs in Raja Ampat, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM). Based on records from the Directorate General of General Legal Administration (AHU) at the Ministry of Law, the company was registered through Decree Number AHU-0036853.AH.01.02.Year 2023, dated June 28, 2023.

The company is registered as a national private enterprise with closed status and no specified operational term. Its headquarters is located on the 19th floor of Menara Sudirman, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 60, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

Government data shows that PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining operates under Standard Field Classification Code (KBLI) 07295, which covers nickel ore mining. The company has a declared capital of 200 thousand shares, valued at IDR 200 billion.

Alongside Freddy Numberi, several other individuals are listed in the company’s AHU profile. These include Meyer GP Togatorop as Director, Ali Hanafia Lijaya as President Commissioner, and Imam Liyanto as Commissioner. Ali Hanafia is recorded as holding 20 thousand shares worth IDR 20 billion.

PT Dua Delapan Kawei is listed as a shareholder, with 80 thousand shares valued at IDR 80 billion. Other shareholders include PT Jaya Bangun Makmur, holding 60 thousand shares worth IDR 60 billion, as well as PT Rowan Sukses Investama and PT Tambang Energi Sejahtera, each holding 20 thousand shares worth IDR 20 billion.

Demands for Permit Revocation

In addition to PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining, the other IUP holders in Raja Ampat are PT Gag Nikel, PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa, and PT Nurham. According to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, only PT Gag Nikel (a subsidiary of PT Antam Tbk) is currently operating. Following objections raised by environmental groups and civil society coalitions, Bahlil suspended PT Gag Nikel’s operations on Thursday, June 5, 2025, pending government review.

Fahmy Radhi, an energy economics expert from Gadjah Mada University, urged the government to permanently halt all mining activities in Raja Ampat, citing environmental risks.

"For mining in Raja Ampat, even with reclamation, it will definitely damage the geopark environment, which is a tourist destination," Fahmy said in a written statement on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

The Save Humanity and Nature Coalition of Domberai echoed this demand, calling on both the central government and the Regent of Raja Ampat to revoke the mining permits. They noted that some of the permits were issued at the regency level.

“It should be noted that the mining activities of companies in Raja Ampat are contrary to the provisions of Law Number 1 of 2014 concerning Coastal and Small Island Management,” said Ayub, a representative of the coalition, in a written statement on Monday, June 9, 2025.

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