Indonesian Parliament backs Presidential Regulation to resolve Bangka Belitung tin dispute

Indonesia's House of Representatives Commission XII is backing a proposed Presidential Regulation designed to resolve ongoing disputes surrounding tin purchases in Bangka Belitung. The regulation would grant PT Timah, the state-owned tin mining company, the authority to buy tin from local communities, providing a legal framework to navigate the current complexities.

Bambang Patijaya, the faction leader for the Golkar Party in Commission XII, stated that the regulation is crucial for overcoming the current situation. He explained that PT Timah's planned production and budget for June 2026 in Bangka Belitung has already exhausted its quota of 3,600 tons. However, approximately 3,000 tons of tin from local communities are already stored in PT Timah's warehouses, exceeding the initial quota.

The delay in resolving these issues, which could take over six months due to the need for geological data updates, exploration, and revised budget proposals, has led to a resurgence in tin smuggling and a sluggish economy in Bangka Belitung. This economic downturn has, in turn, created conditions ripe for social unrest.

The proposed Presidential Regulation would grant PT Timah a one-year discretionary period to purchase tin from the community while it works on administrative and budget revisions. This temporary measure is seen as a vital step toward stabilizing the tin industry in Bangka Belitung. The government, led by Coordinating Minister for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, and Immigration, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has convened meetings with relevant ministries and agencies, including the Attorney General's Office and the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), to find a comprehensive solution.