InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has a strategic role in the government's efforts to regulate illegal palm oil plantations through the Forest Area Regulation Task Force (Satgas PKH). This aligns with Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025 concerning the regulation of forest areas, signed by President Prabowo Subianto on January 21, 2025.
The Satgas PKH, led by Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, has taken concrete steps to eradicate illegal palm oil plantations. One significant action taken was the seizure of 5,764 hectares of land owned by PT Johan Sentosa (Duta Palma Group) in Pasir Sialang Village, Bangkinang Kota District, Kampar Regency, Riau. This step is part of the effort to recover state assets and enforce the law against illegal land occupation in forest areas.
According to Stepi Anriani, Director of Intelligence & National Security Studies, the Satgas PKH has also taken firm action against 27 illegal palm oil companies in several regions in Riau, such as Kampar, Rokan Hulu, Kuantan Singingi, Pelalawan, Indragiri Hulu, and Indragiri Hilir. These companies operate without official permits within forest areas.
As part of the Satgas PKH, the TNI plays a crucial role in supporting these regulatory operations. Based on Article 7 paragraph (2) of Law No. 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI, the military has the authority to engage in Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), including maintaining order and enforcing the law in affected areas.
“The TNI supports the Police and the Attorney General's Office in operations to regulate illegal palm oil land. Their presence not only accelerates legal processes but also prevents resistance from parties interested in these illegal practices,” Stepi stated, as quoted by InfoSAWIT from Media Indonesia on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
In addition to maintaining security stability, the TNI is also involved in the recovery and rehabilitation of forest areas post-regulation. Cleared land needs to be restored to its function as forest areas or allocated for more controlled palm oil replanting programs. In this regard, the TNI is involved in securing and coordinating reforestation programs to restore damaged ecosystem conditions.
“The presence of the TNI in the Satgas PKH is a key element in eradicating illegal palm oil plantations that have caused significant losses to the state and the environment. With synergy between the government, law enforcement agencies, and palm oil farmers, it is hoped that the Indonesian palm oil industry can develop more sustainably without sacrificing the balance of natural ecosystems,” he concluded. (T2)
