December 5, 2025 | 06:12 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, said the government is investigating the driftwood that appeared following floods and landslides in Sumatra and will take action if any violations are identified.
“We are committed to thoroughly investigating the origin of the driftwood carried by the floods. We have coordinated with the National Police Chief. Anyone who violates the law will be pursued, evidence will be gathered, and firm action will be taken,” Raja Juli Antoni said at the House of Representatives on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
The minister emphasized that practices causing forest destruction and endangering public safety will not be tolerated. He added that scientific tracing of the driftwood will guide law enforcement in identifying sources and potential violations.
“There will be no compromise for anyone who damages Indonesia’s forests,” he said.
Raja Juli also noted that forestry law enforcement is aligned with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives. This includes the revocation of 18 Business Permits for the Use of Forest Area (PBPH) earlier this year.
He added that permits for around 20 underperforming PBPHs across Indonesia, including those in the provinces affected by floods and landslides, will also be revoked.
“In accordance with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives, we previously revoked 18 business permits covering 526,144 hectares on February 3, 2025,” Raja Juli said.
"With the President’s approval, the Ministry will revoke permits for approximately 20 additional underperforming business permits, covering roughly 750,000 hectares nationwide, including in the three flood-affected provinces."
He added that the ministry continues to investigate and evaluate the situation while preparing a new moratorium on Natural Forest and Plantation Forest business permits.
“I will also impose a moratorium on new permits for Natural Forest and Plantation Forest business permits,” he concluded.
Read: Indonesia's Purbaya Confirms Emergency Budget Ready for Sumatra Flood Response
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia's Purbaya Confirms Emergency Budget Ready for Sumatra Flood Response
1 jam lalu
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the agency is still assessing the exact additional budget required for the emergency response.
Children Develop Illness Symptoms at Sumatra Disaster Evacuation Centers
1 jam lalu
Ten days after floods and landslides in North Sumatra, several children have begun exhibiting various symptoms of illness.
Immigration Provides Free Passport Processing for Sumatra Flood Victims
2 jam lalu
A ministerial decision will be made to regulate free services for victims of disasters in Sumatra who have lost or damaged their passports.
Indonesia Finds 23 Mining Licenses in Areas Hit by Sumatra Floods and Landslides
2 jam lalu
The 23 permits cover four Contracts of Work and 19 mining licenses for metals like gold, iron, and zinc across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Defense Ministry Deploys Four Vehicles to Distribute Logistics in Sumatra Disaster Zones
3 jam lalu
Vehicles will be dispatched immediately to the three affected provinces in Sumatra.
North Sumatra's Batangtoru River Still Clogged with Logs After Flash Floods
4 jam lalu
For over a week, flash floods and landslides have hit Batangtoru, South Tapanuli, leaving piles of driftwood clogging the river.
Lawmaker Asks Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni to Resign Following Sumatra Disasters
5 jam lalu
The PKB politician said the disasters in Sumatra cannot be solved by blaming the previous administration. He asks Raja Juli Antoni to step down.
Initial Findings Point to Illegal Logging Behind Sumatra Floods
7 jam lalu
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the Ministry of Forestry are delving into the suspicion of illegal logging behind the Sumatra flood disaster
Gov't Prepares 500 Instant Housing Units for Sumatra Flood Victims
7 jam lalu
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing is preparing 500 Simple Healthy Instant Houses for flood victims in Sumatra.
Gov't Seeks Prabowo's Approval to Revoke Permits of 20 Forest Management Companies
8 jam lalu
The companies are spread across the regions in three provinces affected by recent ecological disasters, namely Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
