Disrupting Countervailing Power: Reviewing Religious CSOs in Indonesia’s Extractive Industry

Abstract

This study examines the shifting role of religious civil society organizations (CSOs), with a particular focus on Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, in relation to their acceptance of mining concession permits granted by the Indonesian government. Traditionally regarded as moral authorities and advocates of social justice, these organizations have long been positioned as countervailing powers to state and corporate interests, especially in issues of environmental sustainability and social-ecological justice. However, the decision to engage directly in the management of mining operations represents a significant departure from their historical role and raises important theoretical and practical questions as the gap of this research. The research employs a qualitative approach, combining systematic literature review with secondary data collection from scholarly works, policy documents, and media sources related to the involvement of CSOs in extractive industries. Findings suggest that while NU and Muhammadiyah maintain strong commitments to environmental advocacy and community empowerment, their transition into mining operators introduces potential conflicts of interest. This dual role risks weakening their credibility and legitimacy as faith-based CSOs, as public trust may erode when advocacy overlaps with profit-oriented activities. The study concludes that sustaining legitimacy needs careful collaboration with government and stakeholders, ensuring that religious CSOs continue to function as both guardians of ecological justice and critical counterbalances to state power.