Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Ministry of Forestry has confirmed that the Forest Area Utilization Permit (Persetujuan Penggunaan Kawasan Hutan/PPKH) for mining activities on Wawonii Island, Southeast Sulawesi, has been officially revoked by the Minister of Forestry.
“The revocation of the PPKH on Wawonii Island was not due to the sectoral permit itself being withdrawn, but rather because of a Supreme Court ruling that sided with the community’s lawsuit seeking the cancellation of the PPKH decree,” said Ade Triaji Kusumah, Director General of Forestry Planning at the Ministry of Forestry, in an official statement on Tuesday (June 17, 2025).
He explained that the permitting process for mining in forest areas is a downstream process, which can only proceed once the permit holder has met various initial requirements from relevant technical agencies.
Approval for the use of forest areas is only granted after obtaining a Mining Business License (IUP) from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) or local government through the ESDM office, along with recommendations from regional heads (governor or regent/mayor), and an environmental permit from the Ministry of Environment or local environmental office.
“Only when all of these requirements are fulfilled does the Ministry of Forestry issue approval for forest area utilization,” he stated.
Ade added that the approval comes with several technical obligations, including boundary marking of the activity area to ensure it does not exceed the permitted zone, and the preparation and implementation of a Work Area Arrangement Plan (Penataan Areal Kerja/PAK).
Furthermore, permit holders are obligated to carry out post-mining land reclamation, which is financially guaranteed through a reclamation bond deposited with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. They are also required to implement Watershed Rehabilitation (DAS) programs and pay Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) to the forestry sector.
“However, since the primary mining permit has been revoked, the forest area utilization approval is automatically terminated in accordance with the prevailing legal principles,” the Director General stated, emphasizing that the Ministry of Forestry only provides services based on a legitimate legal framework.
Regarding the public protests on Wawonii Island, Ade Triaji Kusumah stated that such demonstrations are a valid form of public oversight, especially when boundary violations, incomplete permits, or non-compliance with regulations are found. He encouraged the public to coordinate with forestry law enforcement officers, such as the Directorate General of Law Enforcement (Gakkum), or local authorities (police/prosecutors) who are part of the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force.
With this revocation, the Ministry of Forestry reaffirms its commitment to protecting forest areas, upholding the law, and delivering accountable, law-based permit services. Efforts to regulate and enforce order in forest areas will continue as part of the broader agenda to improve the governance of national natural resources. (*)
