Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has reclaimed millions of hectares of state forests through the work of the Task Force for Forest Area Enforcement (Satgas PKH). Authorities confirmed that the operation strengthens state sovereignty over natural resources long exploited without authorization.
Satgas PKH, under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (JAM-Pidsus) Febrie Adriansyah, successfully regained control of 3,312,022.75 hectares of forest land. Of that total, 915,206.46 hectares have been handed over to relevant ministries. The breakdown includes 833,413.46 hectares allocated to PT Agrinas for productive management and 81,793 hectares restored as conservation land in Tesso Nilo National Park, Riau. The remaining 2,398,816.29 hectares are undergoing administrative processing before being transferred.
Following its success in addressing illegal oil palm plantations, Satgas PKH is now targeting unlicensed mining operations in forest areas. Preliminary data indicate that 4,265,376.32 hectares of land are affected by illegal mining activities. The reclaimed land will be temporarily managed by Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID) under the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises to ensure direct benefits for the state and the public.
Febrie Adriansyah emphasized that enforcement efforts are not solely punitive but focus on restoring state control over forest areas. Offenders are required to return all illicit profits to the state. He warned that any party obstructing the policy could face criminal prosecution under administrative law, the Corruption Act, or the Anti-Money Laundering Law.
The Attorney General’s Office spokesperson, Anang Supriatna, stated that cross-institutional cooperation ensures the reclaimed land will serve national interests. He added that the firm measures send a strong signal that forests can no longer be monopolized illegally.
This initiative highlights the government’s commitment to securing natural resources for the people. While success will bolster state authority in resource management, failure may result in stricter legal action against violators. (*)
