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Government Forms New Task Force: Forest Area Regulation Needs Transparency



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Government Forms New Task Force: Forest Area Regulation Needs Transparency

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The President has officially issued Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025 concerning the Regulation of Forest Areas. This policy represents a strategic step by the government in managing forest areas, particularly regarding illegal activities such as mining and rampant palm oil plantations. Under this policy, the government has established a Task Force (Satgas) consisting of directing and implementing elements, with the main tasks of collecting administrative fines, reclaiming forest areas, and restoring state assets.

However, this policy has received mixed responses from environmental and legal observers. Achmad Surambo, Director of Sawit Watch, noted that illegal activities in forest areas have been ongoing for a long time, including through the palm oil legalization policy within forest areas regulated by PP 24 of 2021. He stated that government transparency remains a major issue.

"Thus far, information regarding the progress of palm oil legalization, the amount of administrative fines paid, and the legal subjects that have fulfilled their obligations is difficult for the public to access. The government should disclose this information to build public trust in the policies taken," Surambo stated in an official statement to InfoSAWIT on Monday, January 27, 2025.

Surambo also highlighted recent data showing that out of a total of 3,690 legal subjects, only 17 have been granted forest area release, and 35 others have faced administrative sanctions. By the end of 2023, the collected administrative fines reached IDR 239 billion, while the Forest Resource Provision (PSDH) and Reforestation Fund (DR) amounted to IDR 61 billion and IDR 13 million, respectively.

The establishment of this new Task Force has also faced criticism regarding military dominance in the directing and implementing structure. Some parties argue that this approach could create a militaristic bureaucracy. "Will access to information be restricted and military forces deployed? What about the rights of indigenous peoples living in forest areas?" Surambo questioned.

Ahmad Zazali, Chairman of the Center for Law and Conflict Resolution (PURAKA), added that this Presidential Regulation has the potential to create legal uncertainty. Article 7 of Presidential Regulation 5/2025 allows for the imposition of criminal sanctions on legal subjects that have already paid administrative fines, which according to Zazali could make business actors hesitant to fulfill their obligations.

Gunawan, Senior Advisor of the Indonesia Human Rights Committee for Social Justice (IHCS), also emphasized the need for consistent law enforcement. He reminded that the main challenge for the Task Force is to distinguish between organized groups that damage forests and communities living in forest areas.

Moving forward, environmental and legal observers hope that the Task Force can operate more transparently and involve civil society in oversight. Additionally, Surambo emphasized that regulating forest areas is not just about regulations but also about prioritizing the environment and the affected communities.

With this policy, the government faces a significant task: to regulate forest areas without neglecting aspects of justice and transparency. Will this new Task Force be able to meet these challenges? Only time will tell. (T2)


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