Environmentalists say that the swift industrial expansion and the risk of increased pollution pose severe threats to Indonesia’s rich ecosystems.

“The situation in the extractive industry could worsen under Prabowo’s presidency,” said Melky Nahar, coordinator for the Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM), an NGO.

Melky raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, noting the involvement of politically connected business people in the upcoming government. 

Prabowo’s brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, is a business tycoon with interests in mining, palm oil, pulp and paper. 

Batteries for e-vehicles

The Indonesian nickel industry is largely dominated by companies from China. 

Most of the nickel processed in these facilities is destined for export, catering to the growing international demand for renewable energy solutions, notably batteries for electric cars. Indonesia’s ambition is to become a major hub in Southeast Asia for the manufacturing of electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, JATAM’s Melky criticized the Jokowi government for its practice of amending regulations to serve vested interests, particularly the allocation of revoked coal mining permits to religious groups.

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