Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Directorate General of Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum) of the Ministry of Forestry has gathered data and information on companies holding Forest Area Utilization Permits (PPKH) and conducting mining activities within forest areas in Raja Ampat Regency, namely PT. GN and PT. KSM. This action follows the directive of the Minister of Forestry.
Earlier, from May 27 to June 2, 2025, the Forestry Law Enforcement Team conducted field investigations in response to growing environmental concerns in Raja Ampat.
The findings revealed that three companies were suspected of conducting mining activities in forest areas of the regency: PT. GN and PT. KSM (both holding PPKH), and PT. MRP, which does not yet have a PPKH and is currently in the exploration stage.
Based on the results of the investigation, forestry monitoring has been initiated for PT. GN and PT. KSM to evaluate their compliance with legal obligations and regulations.
Should any violations be proven, their permits may be revoked depending on the severity of the infraction. Furthermore, if sufficient preliminary evidence is found, criminal and civil legal instruments may be applied.
As for PT. MRP, on June 4, 2025, the Head of the Maluku Papua Forestry Law Enforcement Office issued an official assignment letter to begin data and information collection (Pulbaket), starting with summoning PT. MRP representatives for clarification regarding suspected unauthorized mining activities in forest areas.
The clarification is scheduled to take place this week at the Sorong Forestry Law Enforcement Post.
Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, emphasized that the Ministry of Forestry is firmly committed to protecting the Raja Ampat area from activities that could lead to forest and environmental degradation.
Raja Ampat is a region of high ecological and cultural value and must be preserved and protected collectively.
Dwi Januanto stated that Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni has instructed all ranks within the Ministry to strictly evaluate and monitor the issuance of Forest Area Utilization Permits (PPKH) in the region.
“We are moving quickly with monitoring and proportionate legal measures through three legal instruments: administrative, criminal, and civil,” said Dwi Januanto.
“Our first step is to apply administrative legal instruments through forestry oversight activities. We have also engaged forestry experts to analyze ecosystem damage,” he added.
Previously, the Director General of Forest Planning at the Ministry of Forestry, Ade Triaji Kusumah, confirmed the existence of two PPKHs issued in the Raja Ampat region—one in 2020 and another in 2022.
Both were based on then-valid mining sector licenses, including Mining Business Permits (IUP) and Environmental Approvals (AMDAL).
“Essentially, new PPKH issuances have been halted, and existing ones are under strict evaluation and monitoring,” said Ade Triaji Kusumah. (*)
