InfoSAWIT, GORONTALO — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has reiterated its commitment to improving the governance of the palm oil plantation sector in Gorontalo Province to be more transparent, accountable, and free from potential corruption practices. This measure is part of an effort to strengthen the role of the palm oil sector in regional economic development.

This assertion was delivered by the Person in Charge (PIC) of the KPK for the South Sulawesi Region, Epa Kartika, during a coordination meeting preparing for a field visit at the Gorontalo Provincial Inspectorate Office on Wednesday (12/11/2025). The meeting is part of the Coordination and Supervision of Corruption Prevention (Korsupgah) program, focusing on monitoring and evaluating the palm oil sector in producing regions.

According to Epa, improving palm oil governance is crucial to ensure certainty and fairness for all parties.

"The KPK wants to stand in the middle—so that business actors gain certainty and a healthy business climate, while the regional government carries out its rights and obligations. The target is that by December and the first half of 2026, all data must be complete," she said, as reported by InfoSAWIT from the Gorontalo Provincial Government on Friday (14/11/2025).

Epa stressed several obligations for palm oil companies, including the completeness of business licenses (IUP), cultivation rights (HGU), and environmental permits. Companies are also required to manage waste properly, establish a plasma (smallholder cooperative) plantation of at least 2% of the total area, and comply with social responsibility and tax obligations.

The regional government, meanwhile, has an important role in monitoring and collecting plantation area data, ensuring partnerships with the community comply with regulations, and submitting regular reports on permits and production. This step is expected to optimize the region's revenue from palm oil revenue sharing (DBH).

The KPK received initial data covering three palm oil-producing regencies: Gorontalo, Boalemo, and Pohuwato. However, Epa revealed that much company data is still incomplete, emphasizing the need for central government, regional government, and industry players to collaborate for cleaner and more sustainable palm oil governance. (T2)