PALMOILMAGAZINE, EAST KOTAWARINGIN – The Attorney General’s Office is investigating alleged corruption involving plantation business licensing and forest land release policies in East Kotawaringin (Kotim) Regency. The case has gained national attention, particularly after President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed his commitment to greater transparency in the plantation sector.
Reports indicate that the investigation focuses on the issuance of plantation business permits and forest area releases granted to large private companies (PBS) in Kotim. Even a former regent from a previous administration has been summoned for questioning.
“Several individuals have been called to Jakarta. This case allegedly involves problematic plantation permits and forest land releases,” a trusted source told Palmoilmagazine.com citing Berita Sampit on Monday (February 10, 2025).
Also Read: Indonesian Government Officially Halts Distribution of Palm Oil Profit Sharing Funds
Officials potentially being questioned include subdistrict heads, former heads of the Forestry and Plantation Departments, as well as officials from the Regional Secretariat. Both the current and former regents of Kotim have also been mentioned in the investigation.
Another source revealed that investigators from the Attorney General’s Office plan to conduct on-site inspections in Kotim. “There are plans for field examinations in Sampit, and instructions have been issued from Jakarta to prepare relevant documents and data,” the source stated.
In addition to law enforcement officials, military personnel have been deployed to assist in regulating the plantation sector. The Kotim District Attorney’s Office (Kejari) is expected to serve as the investigation site for the Attorney General’s team. However, as of now, Budy Kurniawan Tymbas, Head of the Special Crimes Unit at Kejari Kotim, has yet to issue an official response.
Responding to the legal proceedings, Kotim Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) member SP Lumban Gaol expressed his support for law enforcement in the plantation sector. He believes the measures will provide legal certainty for investments and help resolve conflicts between communities and corporations.
“We fully support this regulatory action to ensure compliance from all parties. For too long, violations have been ignored. We hope the law will be enforced fairly, not only against small communities but also against large corporations,” he asserted.
As part of the legal enforcement effort, the President issued Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 5 of 2025 on Forest Area Regulation on January 21, 2025. This regulation grants the government authority to reclaim forest areas used illegally for plantations and mining activities.
The Perpres reinforces the implementation of the Job Creation Law (UUCK), particularly Articles 110A and 110B, with three key measures: imposing administrative fines, reclaiming forest land, and/or restoring assets within forest areas.
This policy targets illegal activities in protected forests, conservation areas, and production forests, including unlicensed plantations and mining operations.
According to data from the Central Kalimantan Plantation Agency, oil palm plantations in the province cover approximately 1.3 million hectares. Agency Head Rizky Badjuri stated that part of this land falls within forest areas. A report by Greenpeace Indonesia further revealed that around 817,000 hectares of oil palm plantations in Central Kalimantan are classified as illegal due to their location within forest zones. (P2)
