Indonesia Revokes Permits of 5 Companies Over Forest Fires

The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry has revoked the permits of five companies in connection with forest and land fires (Karhutla). This action is part of the government's commitment to law enforcement, as instructed by the President, to apply justice impartially, without favoring any party. "This is part of the President's order, law enforcement that is indiscriminate, not only targeting the small ones, not only sharp against the small ones, but also sharp against the top," said Minister of Environment and Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, as quoted from a written statement on Tuesday (22/9). The five companies whose permits were revoked are PT Wana Lestari Jaya in Sanggau and Sekadau, West Kalimantan, with a concession area of approximately 29,000 hectares; PT Prima Multi Buana in Banjar, South Kalimantan, with a concession area of 11,882 hectares. Then PT Pancaran Wana Nusa in Lamandau, Central Kalimantan, covering an area of 3,812 hectares; PT Grash Putri Perdana in Lamandau, Sukamara, and Ketapang, covering an area of 24,990 hectares; and PT Bagus Wahana Lestari in Kapuas, Central Kalimantan, covering an area of 18,640 hectares. Raja Juli revealed that the total concession area of the five companies reached approximately 92,464 hectares. Meanwhile, the burned areas for each company were 47 hectares for PT Wana Lestari Jaya; 18.20 hectares for PT Prima Multi Buana; 497 hectares for PT Pancaran Wana Nusa; 374.99 hectares for PT Grash Putri Perdana; and 231.10 hectares for PT Bagus Wahana Lestari. Raja Juli stated that the revocation of the permits for the five companies was related to violations committed by the companies. He emphasized that concession holders or PBPH (Business Permit Holders for Forest Utilization) have the obligation to protect the area and fulfill the obligations attached to the given permits. "However, once again, because they ignored it, did not care about it, then I revoked the permits of five companies," he said. Furthermore, Raja Juli expressed hope that this law enforcement measure would serve as a deterrent to other companies under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, preventing them from starting or allowing forest and land fires to occur. "Therefore, once again, I hope this also serves as a deterrent to all other companies under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, so they do not commit burning or negligence (of forest fires)," he concluded.