As reported on the official website of the Master of Law Program, the Master of Law Study Program held an academic discussion themed: “Environmental Crimes” and invited three speakers, including Dr. Yeni Widowaty, SH., M.Hum as a lecturer in environmental criminal law at UMY’s Master of Law, Sunarno, SH., M.Hum., (Ph.D candidate) as a lecturer in agrarian law at UMY’s Master of Law, and La Ode Alimin, S.IP. as a Master of Law student at UMY. This academic discussion was held due to the increasing number of environmental damage issues such as illegal mining cases and the regulation of Mining Business Permits (IUP) which have been hotly debated during political contests.
“From 2012 to 2019, environmental damage at the Gunung Botak gold mining site on Buru Island, Maluku Province, has increased significantly. This has also led to significant environmental damage due to the irregular disposal of waste. A number of miners have been mining gold using hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide,” explained La Ode Alimin, S.IP in the UMY Master of Law Study Hall (5/7).
According to Sunarno, environmental damage can occur due to the less than optimal contribution of local governments. Environmental damage occurs because the government is not wise in regulating environmental protection due to monopolies. The management skills of the government are unable to control foreign investors. Therefore, this form of crime is more of a political intervention, namely the misuse of power for foreign investors, even though the purpose stated in the law is for the welfare of the people.
Dr. Yeni Widowaty, SH., M.Hum also emphasized that this discussion was held in order to discuss how to implement environmental protection regulations, especially in mining areas, in accordance with Article 33 paragraph 3 of the law, which states; Land, water and natural resources contained therein are controlled by the State and used for the greatest prosperity of the people.
