19-8-2023 (JAKARTA) The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has taken legal action against 22 companies accused of sparking forest and land fires in Indonesia between 2015 and 2023, according to an announcement made on Friday.
Rasio Ridho Sani, the Director General of Environment and Forestry Law Enforcement, revealed in Jakarta that the companies, serving as civil defendants, are being sued for both compensation for environmental damage and specific actions pertaining to land restoration.
Out of the 22 companies facing legal action, 14 have already received permanent judgments, totaling Rp5.60 trillion in value. Currently, seven companies are in the process of executing compensation payments amounting to Rp3.05 trillion, while another seven are preparing for the execution of Rp2.55 trillion for environmental restoration.
Sani confirmed that the court has granted the lawsuit, enabling the ministry to proceed with the implementation of the permanent decision against the 14 companies.
The seven companies currently undergoing the execution process include PT Waringin Agro Jaya from Ogan Komering Ilir, South Sumatra, which has been ordered to pay Rp466.46 billion in compensation. PT Ricky Kurniawan Kertapersada from Muaro Jambi, Jambi province, is facing a verdict value of Rp191.80 billion, while PT Palmina Utama from Banjar, South Kalimantan, has a verdict of Rp22.29 billion.
Other companies in the execution process are PT Jatim Jaya Perkasa from Rokan Hilir, Riau, with a total decision value of Rp491.02 billion; PT Kallista Alam from Nagan Raya, Aceh, with a value of Rp366.06 billion; PT Surya Panen Subur from Nagan Raya, Aceh, with a total value of Rp439.01 billion; and PT Nasional Sago Prima from Meranti, Riau, with a total value of Rp1.07 trillion.
Additionally, seven companies are preparing for execution, including PT Agro Tumbuh Gemilang Abadi in East Tanjung Jabung, Jambi, with a decision value of Rp590.54 billion. PT Rambang Agro Jaya in Ogan Komering Ilir, South Sumatra, has a total value of Rp199.56 billion, PT Arjuna Utama Sawit has a value of Rp342.97 billion, and PT Kalimantan Lestari Mandiri in Kuala Kapuas, Central Kalimantan, amounts to Rp299.95 billion.
The remaining companies preparing for execution are PT Kaswari Unggul from East Tanjung Jabung, Jambi, with a total decision value of Rp25.61 billion; PT Kumai Sentosa from West Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan, with a total value of Rp175.18 billion; and PT Rafi Kamajaya Abadi from Melawai, West Kalimantan, with a total value of Rp920.01 billion.
Of the seven companies currently in the execution process, PT Kallista Alam and PT Surya Panen Subur have expressed their commitment to providing compensation and undertaking environmental restoration actions in accordance with the court’s decision, Sani disclosed.
To prevent forest and land fires in Indonesia, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has been continuously monitoring hotspots from January to August 2023. As part of their efforts, the ministry has sent 99 warning letters to companies with indications of hotspots, where the confidence level exceeds 79 percent.
“Our team is working around the clock, monitoring potential hotspots via satellite, particularly within concession areas,” Sani added.
