InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin has revealed that echelon I and II officials at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) are suspected of being involved in corruption cases related to palm oil management during the period of 2005-2024. However, Burhanuddin refrained from disclosing the identities of the implicated officials.
"Certainly, there are individuals involved," Burhanuddin stated, as reported by InfoSAWIT from Tempo on Thursday (January 9, 2025). He added that an official announcement regarding the names of the suspects will be made soon, likely within the next month.
This case emerged after the Attorney General's investigative team conducted a search at the KLHK's Manggala Wanabakti building on October 3, 2024. Previously, Burhanuddin had announced the designation of suspects on January 2, 2024.
Febrie Ardiansyah, the Attorney General's Deputy for Special Crimes (Jampidsus), explained that the case involves palm oil companies that have planted in forest areas without the necessary permits. Some of these lands are located in conservation and protected forest areas.
"We are examining which cases can be prosecuted and which can only incur administrative fines. There must be certainty in restoring state rights," Febrie stated.
He further mentioned that this case is linked to a leak of state funds amounting to IDR 300 trillion, as previously revealed by Hashim Djojohadikusumo based on calculations from the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP). This amount stems from violations of Articles 110A and 110B of the Job Creation Law.
In addressing illegal palm oil cultivation, KLHK has established a Task Force for Monitoring and Controlling the Implementation of the Job Creation Law (Satgas Sawit), led by Bambang Hendroyono. Bambang, who previously served as the Secretary-General of KLHK, has calculated administrative fines for companies and individuals who plant palm oil in forest areas.
According to KLHK data, the area of palm oil cultivation in forest zones exceeds 3 million hectares. The government refers to palm oil cultivation in forest areas as "misplaced," regulated through the Job Creation Law. Articles 110A and 110B stipulate sanctions in the form of land restitution for individual farmers and administrative fines for companies.
However, prosecutors have found indications of corruption in the determination of these fines and penalties. Investigations are ongoing to ensure that any misconduct harming the state is addressed. (T2)
