Enviro News Asia, Kubu Raya — The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has imposed administrative sanctions on five commercial forest utilization permit (PBPH) holding companies in West Kalimantan following alleged forest and land fires (karhutla) within their respective concession areas. The enforcement measures were confirmed by Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni during an on-site inspection of active wildfire locations in West Kalimantan on September 3, 2026.
The five penalized PBPH entities comprise:
PT Mahkota Rimba Utama in Ketapang Regency, holding a total concession area of 74,480 hectares, with approximately 1,275.87 hectares burned;
PT Hutan Ketapang Industri in Ketapang Regency, holding 100,150 hectares, with approximately 670.76 hectares burned;
PT Mayawana Persada Mas in Ketapang Regency, holding 136,710 hectares, with approximately 326.93 hectares burned;
PT Duta Andalan Sukses in Sanggau Regency, holding 31,080 hectares, with approximately 247.3 hectares burned; and
PT Wana Lestari Jaya in Sanggau Regency, holding 29,140 hectares, with approximately 47.84 hectares burned.
“In accordance with directives from President Prabowo Subianto, we are executing administrative sanctions ranging from business permit suspensions to mandatory environmental restoration orders,” stated Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni on September 4, 2026.
Minister Antoni stressed that legal proceedings will be enforced without compromise against any negligent party, whether major corporations or individuals, and may escalate to criminal prosecution if legal violations are uncovered. These sanctions follow similar administrative actions previously announced by the Ministry against six other concession holders across West, Central, and East Kalimantan.
The Ministry of Forestry urges all PBPH permit holders to strictly safeguard their concession areas against fire outbreaks, warning that September marks the peak of the 2026 wildfire season. (*)
