Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry has imposed administrative sanctions on at least 32 companies over forest and land fires, including six concession holders in Kalimantan whose operating permits have been suspended and who have been ordered to restore damaged ecosystems.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the ministry had sanctioned the companies as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen enforcement against businesses found responsible for forest and land fires. He made the statement at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on October 21, 2026.
The measures follow President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions to take firm action against forestry-sector violations, including repeated breaches by concession holders. The government’s enforcement approach includes administrative sanctions, permit suspension or revocation, and compulsory ecosystem restoration.
Speaking at the 2026 National Coordination Meeting of the Regional Financial Access Acceleration Team at the JIEXPO Convention Centre in Jakarta on October 22, Prabowo said forest and land fires were not solely natural disasters but were also linked to human activities and corporate practices.
The president described deliberate forest burning as “environmental terrorism” and a crime against humanity, arguing that the resulting smoke endangered the health of millions of Indonesians.
Prabowo also said some foreign-linked companies operating in Indonesia might bear responsibility for fires, including firms associated with countries that had criticised Indonesia over recurring haze. He said the government would announce the names of the companies when appropriate.
The president called for stronger coordination among the Forestry Ministry, the National Police, the Attorney General’s Office and the Indonesian Military to investigate suspected violations. He also urged authorities to revoke permits held by companies that repeatedly violated regulations.
Six concession holders in Kalimantan have been targeted in the latest round of sanctions. According to the Forestry Ministry, their combined concession area covers 201,391 hectares, of which 7,531 hectares have been affected by fire.
The companies and reported burned areas are:
- PT Hasil Kalimantan Jaya, Gunung Mas Regency: 4,803 hectares burned across a 36,745-hectare concession.
- PT Taiyoung Engreen, Gunung Mas Regency: 1,049 hectares burned across a 59,810-hectare concession.
- PT Hutan Produksi Lestari, Kapuas Regency: 718 hectares burned across a 10,050-hectare concession.
- PT Ramang Aglo Lestari, Pulang Pisau Regency: 420 hectares burned across a 13,580-hectare concession.
- PT Puspa Warna Cemerlang, Gunung Mas Regency: 348 hectares burned across a 12,920-hectare concession.
- PT Sinergi Hutan Sejati, North Barito Regency: 193 hectares burned across a 68,286-hectare concession.
The ministry said the six companies faced permit suspensions and compulsory ecosystem restoration measures. The sanctions are intended to ensure that concession holders address environmental damage rather than leave burned areas without rehabilitation.
Prabowo also criticised the handling of repeat violations in previous years, citing concession holders that had allegedly breached regulations multiple times while continuing to operate. He called for stricter action against companies with repeated violations.
The government’s wider enforcement drive places responsibility on concession holders to prevent fires and comply with environmental regulations. The ministry’s actions are part of broader efforts to curb recurring forest and land fires, protect public health and restore damaged ecosystems.
The Forestry Ministry has not, in the material provided, identified the six companies’ ownership origins or detailed the individual evidence supporting each sanction. The companies’ specific responses to the measures were also not included in the announcement. (*)
