TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has identified companies in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra that have caused damage to forests and river basins covering a total of 889,125 hectares, triggering recent flooding.
In addition, forest and river basin destruction has been worsened by illegal activities. In response, Walhi has urged the Ministry of Forestry to revoke all forestry sector permits in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. The ministry has also been urged to take strict law enforcement action against illegal mining and oil palm plantations in these three provinces.
Head of Walhi Campaign Division, Uli Artha Siagian, said that the recent disasters resulting in significant losses should serve as a moment to rectify all forestry and environmental policies in Indonesia. He stressed that the evaluation process leading to permit revocation must be conducted transparently.
According to him, the evaluation process must ensure environmental protection, disaster aspects, and the restoration of people's rights. Uli stated, "In accordance with the authority granted by Article 72 of the Forestry Law, the Minister of Forestry can use the authority vested in him to represent the interests of the people and compel forest-destroying companies to be accountable, including compensating the affected communities and restoring the forests that are the source of people's livelihoods," Uli said in a written statement on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Walhi has noted at least 13 forestry, mining, and plantation companies that have engaged in forest destruction, leading to a significant decline in environmental sustainability. Furthermore, there are 62 unauthorized gold mining activities in West Sumatra (in Solok Regency and Sijunjung Regency), and 5,208 hectares of forest area have been converted into oil palm plantations by 14 companies in Aceh Province. Moreover, seven regencies in Aceh (Aceh Barat, Nagan Raya, Pidie, Aceh Jaya, Aceh Tengah, Aceh Selatan, and Aceh Besar) have damaged 954 river basins, 60 percent of which are located within forest areas.
"Illegal activities in forest and river basin areas in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have been ongoing for over a dozen years, if not more. It is regrettable that the Ministry of Forestry and the Police have not taken firm law enforcement action. If these illegal activities had been addressed and stopped earlier, the current significant impacts may not have occurred," Uli said.
To prevent similar events from occurring in other parts of Indonesia, Walhi has requested the Ministry to openly and participatively establish a Task Force for the Evaluation of Permits and Illegal Activities in Forest Areas. This Task Force must involve civil society organizations to ensure that the evaluation and law enforcement processes can effectively and transparently target both authorized and unauthorized activities in forest areas.
"This mechanism must lead to environmental restoration and the fulfillment of people's rights, instead of perpetuating illegal practices as seen in the Special Task Force for Palm Oil Plantations, which has been proven to allow illegal oil palm plantations to continue operating in forest areas," he added.
Uli stated that without firm action from the Ministry of Forestry to promptly enforce administrative, criminal, and civil law, the community and the environment will continue to suffer adverse impacts. "Failure to act will only repeat the disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, and could potentially reoccur in other areas of Indonesia," he mentioned.
Prior to this, the Ministry of Forestry through the Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum) identified the factors contributing to environmental damage in upstream river basins suspected of exacerbating downstream disaster impacts. Initial analysis reinforced by field verifications indicated that, in addition to extreme rainfall, there were indications of environmental damage in the upstream areas of Batang Toru and Sibuluan River Basins in North Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli, and South Tapanuli.
Destruction of forest cover on the slopes and upstream areas of river basins is suspected to reduce the soil's water absorption capacity, causing extreme rainfall to quickly turn into strong surface runoff, triggering floods and landslides. Drifting timber material indicated suspected unauthorized land clearing and logging activities.
"We clearly see a pattern where forest damage in the upstream areas due to illegal activities significantly increases the potential for disasters downstream. Activities in Production Forest Concession areas, which should be legal, are suspected to be misused as a facade for illegal logging encroaching on state forest areas nearby. This is an extraordinary crime that compromises public safety," said Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, in a written statement on Monday.
As a rapid response, the Gakkum Forestry Law Enforcement Directorate formed a joint team to collect evidence and information related to suspected activities causing environmental damage. From the initial identification results, 12 legal entities, both corporations and individuals, were suspected to be involved in forest cover disturbances in upstream areas. Difficult terrain, extreme weather, and limited logistical access pose the major challenges. However, the entire team continues simultaneous field verifications.
Since December 4, 2025, the team has installed prohibition signs (information boards) at five identified locations, two points in the concession area of PT TPL, and three points in locations of Right of Cultivation (HGU) holders under the names of JAM, AR, and DP. Meanwhile, the Sumatra Gakkum Forestry Law Enforcement Center is currently investigating a suspected forestry crime involving one legal entity, the HGU owner under the name of JAM, after the discovery of four trucks carrying timber without valid documents (SKSHH-KB).
Regarding this case, Dwi stated that the Forest Ministry Law Enforcement Agency imposed the provisions of Article 83 paragraph (1) letter b and Article 12 letter e of Law No. 18 of 2013 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, with a maximum criminal penalty of five years and a maximum fine of Rp 2.5 billion. Alongside field actions, the summons for all 12 legal entities is scheduled for December 9, 2025, for further investigation.
"The team in the field has sealed off locations suspected of engaging in illegal activities. This step is part of a comprehensive effort to verify facts, secure locations, and prepare evidence for a fair and transparent law enforcement process. We will also closely coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure the restoration of upstream river basins and protection for affected communities," Dwi said.
In addition to forestry criminal charges, the Gakkum Forestry Law Enforcement Directorate is also considering the application of the Money Laundering Criminal Act to trace and confiscate assets derived from forestry crimes, as well as civil lawsuits based on Article 72 of Law No. 18 of 2013 and Article 76 of the Forestry Law to restore ecosystem forest functions.
The Forest Ministry will instruct technical steps for the restoration of upstream river basins in collaboration with the Directorate General of River Basin Management and Forest Rehabilitation (PDASRH), local governments, and local communities. "This program includes vegetation rehabilitation, erosion control, and the reorganization of blocked river channels," Dwi stated.
The Ministry of Forestry reaffirms its commitment to work professionally, transparently, and comprehensively with all stakeholders to uncover the root causes of upstream damage and restore the hydrological function of river basins. "Enforcement against forestry violations contributing to disasters is not just an administrative measure but an effort to protect public safety and the ecological resilience of the nation," Dwi concluded.
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