Written by: Hasna Luthfia Sholiha, Maharani Maylinda Putri, Mutiara Ayu Renandy, Naura Khalisha, Shofwah Nur Faiza
Advisor : Isnaeni Sofiana
At the press conference during the national consolidation meeting held in Yogyakarta on Sunday, (7/8), Muhammadiyah decided to grant the organization permission to manage a mining operation. The rationale given was that Muhammadiyah believes humans have been entrusted by Allah with the authority to manage and make the best use of the natural wealth provided, and that this venture would help expand and enhance Muhammadiyah’s da’wah in the industrial, tourism, services, and other business sectors.
This decision contrasts with the movement’s mandate at the 48th Muhammadiyah Congress held in 2022 in Surakarta, which sought to pursue Global Service as outlined in the Environmental Preservation agenda. The Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Haedar Nasir, claimed that the organization would manage the mine without causing environmental damage, social conflicts, or disparities.
However, the reality is that mining itself often has more negative impacts than positive ones. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), mining continues to be a dangerous activity, whether large-scale or small-scale artisanal mining. In addition to accidents, mining can lead to various diseases affecting the miners.
The number of fatal accidents in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries increased from 78 in 2020 to 95 in 2021, a rise of 21.8 percent. Fatal accidents in this industry exceeded 100 in the three years before 2020: 112 deaths in 2017, 130 in 2018, and 127 in 2019.
Furthermore, the mining industry has a detrimental impact on the environment, including water pollution from liquid waste that contaminates water sources, soil degradation, and the extinction of flora and fauna in Indonesia. It can also cause conflicts between mining companies and local communities due to inequities in benefit sharing.
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As young Muhammadiyah cadres, we are, of course, disappointed with Muhammadiyah’s decision. Muhammadiyah is an organization based on the Qur’an and Hadith, which emphasize that Islam is a religion of Rahmatan Lil Alamin, a religion that brings blessings or benefits to all living things. This decision suggests that Muhammadiyah may be swayed by the benefits to be gained, despite the clearly evident negative impacts of the mining industry today. We believe Muhammadiyah should continue to uphold its vision and mission of environmental preservation. We hope that if Muhammadiyah proceeds with this mining project, it will bring blessings and extensive benefits to all living things and help resolve the chaos that this decision has generated.
In conclusion, Muhammadiyah’s decision to accept a mining license represents a significant departure from its previous commitments to environmental preservation and social justice. While the organization’s leaders may have justified the decision as a means of expanding their influence and spreading da’wah, the potential risks to both the environment and the integrity of Muhammadiyah’s mission cannot be overlooked. As young cadres, we urge Muhammadiyah to reconsider its stance and to prioritize the values of sustainability and ethical governance that have long been the foundation of its work. The future of Muhammadiyah and its credibility as a moral and religious leader in Indonesia depend on its ability to align its actions with its core principles.