Gov’t Revokes 22 Forest Utilization Business Permits for Over 1 Million Hectares

President Prabowo Subianto gives directives to regulate forest utilization business permits at a plenary cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta, Monday (12/15). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat /Muchlis Jr)

President Prabowo Subianto, Monday (12/15), gave directives to regulate forest utilization business permits (PBPH) that are deemed problematic and detrimental to communities and the environment at a plenary cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta.

The President instructed Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni to promptly conduct verification, inspection, and audit of companies with concessions.

“As we have discussed yesterday, do quickly verify, inspect, and audit all companies holding concessions. Take action on those who violate the regulation, check the level of violation, and revoke the permit,” he said.

President Prabowo also pushed for the synergy of ministries, Government agencies, the Indonesian National Defense Forces, and the Indonesian National Police in rectifying PBPH permits.

“Do not hesitate. If you need personnel assistance for an investigation, ask other ministries or agencies. Perhaps the police, military, or other ministries/agencies can assist,” he said while underscoring that the permit of every company violating the regulations will be revoked.

On another occasion, Raja Juli stated that the Ministry of Forestry is set to revoke 22 PBPH permits for a total area of 1,012,016 hectares, and 116,168 hectares are within the Sumatra region.

“Upon the President’s directives, I will revoke 22 PBPH permits for an area of 1,012,016 hectares, including 116,168 hectares in Sumatra island. The details will be provided on the decree for the revocation,” he said.

With the permits revoked, the Government has rectified problematic PBPH permits for an area of approximately 1.5 million hectares. Previously, in February, Raja Juli pointed out that his ministry had revoked 18 PBPH permits for an area of around 500,000 hectares.

“On February 3, I revoked 18 PBPH permits for an area of half a million hectares. Today, with an addition of 1 million hectares, the total area rectified is around 1.5 million hectares of forest,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (DH/LW)