December 4, 2025 | 10:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chair of the National Economic Council (DEN), has formally denied any involvement or ownership in PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL), a company cited as partially responsible for environmental damage that has worsened recent floods in Sumatra.
Luhut's spokesperson, Jodi Mahardi, issued a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday, December 4, 2025, to address the circulating rumors.
"Regarding the various misleading information circulating on social media and in the public space, we convey that the information is incorrect," said Jodi Mahardi.
Jodi explicitly stated that Luhut does not have, is not affiliated with, and is not involved in any form, directly or indirectly, with PT Toba Pulp Lestari. "Any claim circulating regarding his ownership or involvement is inaccurate and baseless," Jodi asserted.
The spokesperson emphasized that Luhut, as a state official, consistently adheres to all legal and regulatory provisions governing transparency, government ethics, and the management of potential conflicts of interest. He added that Luhut remains open to fact-checking and encourages the public to rely only on credible sources of information.
Jodi urged all parties to be more cautious when circulating unverified information and to prioritize ethics in the digital space to prevent misunderstanding and disinformation.
Environmental Allegations Against TPL
The denial follows accusations made by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) of North Sumatra, which named seven companies responsible for environmental damage suspected of exacerbating the flash floods and landslides in Central Tapanuli and Sibolga late last month. PT Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk was among the companies mentioned.
According to Walhi's records, the area hardest hit by the floods occurred within the Harangan Tapanuli Ecosystem (Batang Toru). This tropical forest is crucial as a primary hydrological buffer and the center of the river basin in North Sumatra.
The Executive Director of Walhi North Sumatra, Rianda Purba, argued that large-scale industrial operations have severely damaged the ecosystem. He specifically accused mining, energy, and plantation companies of causing massive deforestation in the area.
"Satellite images show deforested areas in flood-prone zones. This is an ecological disaster due to human intervention," Rianda said in a written statement on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
TPL Denies Responsibility
For its part, the management of PT Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk denied the allegations. Toba Pulp Lestari's Corporate Secretary, Anwar Lawden, claimed the company is not linked to the cause of the disaster.
"The company respects public opinion, but the information provided must be based on verifiable data. We remain open to constructive dialogue," Anwar stated in a disclosure of information on the Indonesia Stock Exchange on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Nandito Putra contributed to the report
Read: Sumatra Disaster Update: Death Toll Rises to 836
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
DEN Chair Urges Prabowo to Balance Worker, Investor Interests in 2026 Minimum Wage
48 hari lalu
Luhut said Prabowo should consider investors' interests when deciding the UMP, noting that labor union proposals often focus solely on workers' needs.
Sri Mulyani's Replacement as Indonesian Finance Minister Repeatedly Served Under Luhut
9 September 2025
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto appoints Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa as the new finance minister, replacing Sri Mulyani in the cabinet reshuffle.
Luhut Confident Digitalized Social Aid Could Lift 34 Million Indonesians from Poverty
26 Agustus 2025
Luhut says the government will start rolling out digital social aid in Banyuwangi, East Java, this September, before expanding it nationwide.
Prabowo to Launch Payment ID in Banyuwangi in September
14 Agustus 2025
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is planned to launch Payment ID in mid-September 2025 in Banyuwangi, East Java.
Luhut Predicts 67,000 New Jobs by Year-End Amid Layoff Wave
12 Juni 2025
Luhut said the new jobs came from Chinese investors building industries in smaller regions, especially Central Java.
Luhut Says Prabowo's Free Meal Program Helps Push Economic Growth to 8%
12 Juni 2025
Furthermore, Luhut mentioned that the budget for Free Nutritious Meal program could reach Rp300 trillion next year.
Luhut Urges Retired TNI Forum to Acknowledge VP Gibran
7 Mei 2025
Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the Retired TNI (Indonesian Military) Forum must recognize Gibran Rakabuming Raka as the vice president.
Luhut Sees Trump's Tariffs as Opening for Indonesia to Lure Foreign Investment
9 April 2025
The National Economic Council Chair, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, talks about U.S. President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs on Indonesia.
Bambang Brodjonegoro Resigns as Commissioner of TOBA
9 Maret 2025
The company has received a resignation letter from Bambang Brodjonegoro on March 7, 2025.
Five Years Since Covid-19: Revisiting Indonesia's Response and Jokowi's Lockdown Rejection
4 Maret 2025
In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, President Jokowi refused to impose a lockdown, calling it unnecessary.
