InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA — In a determined step toward curbing illegal palm oil plantations in forest zones, Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry, in collaboration with the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), reaffirmed its commitment to taking decisive action. On Friday (Nov 1, 2024), Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni and BPKP Head Muhammad Yusuf Ateh met at the BPKP office to discuss firm measures to address the environmental and economic damage caused by illegal palm operations.
Minister Raja Juli emphasized that enforcing penalties on illegal plantations will involve both administrative fines and land confiscation. Revenue generated from the seized land will be directed toward public benefit, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions. “The state must assert its sovereignty over illegal activities within its borders. If plantations violate regulations, we will act decisively—whether through fines or land seizures,” said Raja Juli, as quoted by InfoSAWIT from KBRN RRI on Tuesday (Nov 5, 2024).
To bolster these efforts, the Ministry of Forestry, alongside BPKP and the Attorney General’s Office, is set to establish a Palm Oil Task Force. This task force aims to strengthen legal enforcement and harmonize data across various agencies. Minister Raja Juli mentioned that preliminary discussions have already taken place with the State Secretariat to ensure the task force operates efficiently.
“We aim to reinstate a task force similar to the one in the past but with a sharper focus and clearer mandate,” stated Raja Juli. He added that data reconciliation is a primary objective, as it will give the task force a solid foundation for identifying illegal plantations. “BPKP is currently updating the data, and I plan to review the progress next week,” he added.
The Ministry’s goals extend beyond just targeting illegal plantations. With updated and accurate data, the government plans to impose maximum fines on offenders, boosting state revenue from the palm oil sector. “This effort will ensure that the land, water, and resources of Indonesia contribute to the shared prosperity of our nation,” Raja Juli concluded.
This robust approach by the Ministry of Forestry and BPKP underscores the government’s dedication to preserving Indonesia's forests and upholding legal sovereignty. By tackling illegal palm oil plantations, authorities hope to mitigate environmental damage and ensure that all lands are utilized in line with regulations for the nation’s prosperity. (T2)
