Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry has suspended the permits of six companies in Central Kalimantan over their handling of forest and land fires, bringing the total number of companies facing administrative sanctions to 32, with concessions covering nearly 1.93 million hectares.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni announced the latest measures on Wednesday, Oct. 21, during a press briefing ahead of a plenary Cabinet meeting at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. The sanctions include permit suspensions and compulsory measures to restore forest ecosystems.
The six companies are PT Hasil Kalimantan Jaya and PT Taiyoung Enggreen in Gunung Mas regency; PT Hutan Produksi Lestari in Kapuas regency; and PT Ramang Agro Lestari, PT Puspa Warna Cemerlang and PT Sinergi Hutan Sejati in North Barito regency.
Raja Juli said enforcement should apply to all parties found to have violated the law, including corporations, rather than focusing solely on small-scale farmers and individuals.
The minister said approximately 120 cases were being processed by the Forestry Ministry as of Oct. 21. He had also coordinated with National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo to strengthen case handling, with further coordination planned with the police’s Criminal Investigation Agency.
Administrative sanctions do not rule out criminal proceedings. Raja Juli said companies could face criminal cases if investigators found evidence meeting the relevant legal requirements.
The ministry said it was continuing to strengthen forest-fire management through law enforcement, prevention, monitoring and coordination among government agencies.
Community involvement is also being expanded, including through Fire Care Communities, Indigenous communities, forest farmer groups and volunteers who support early detection and firefighting efforts on the ground.
The ministry said the measures were intended to protect forest areas, prevent recurring fires and ensure that companies holding forest-use permits meet their environmental responsibilities. (*)
