PALMOILMAGAZINE, SUBULUSSALAM – Members of the Subulussalam City Council (DPRK) are calling on Indonesia’s Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement Team (Gakkum LHK) to immediately investigate alleged environmental pollution by palm oil industries operating in the city.
The demand was raised by Rasumin Pohan, Deputy Speaker of the DPRK from the Gerindra Party, in response to a recent incident involving mass fish deaths in the Batu-Batu River, Sultan Daulat District. The deaths are suspected to be linked to toxic waste contamination in the river.
“There are strong indications of waste discharge into the river—especially since the Mayor of Subulussalam, Haji Rasyid Bancin, personally visited the site two months ago following complaints from residents,” Rasumin stated on Friday, May 9, 2025.
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Rasumin also pointed to the company’s provision of clean water to nearby residents as further evidence of wrongdoing. “If no contamination had occurred, why would the company offer clean water and promise to drill wells?” he asked.
He urged Gakkum LHK to take firm action against palm oil factories and plantations suspected of environmental violations in Subulussalam. He also highlighted the need to review land use permits (HGU), which he believes require stricter oversight.
Rasumin emphasized that environmental law enforcement aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision—particularly in terms of sustainable forest governance, environmental protection, forest rehabilitation, community forestry, and recognition of customary forests to maintain ecological, social, and economic balance.
Echoing Rasumin’s concerns, Dewita Karya of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and Chair of the DPRK Megegoh Faction, also called for immediate inspection and legal action against non-compliant palm oil operations. She specifically mentioned PT Mandiri Sawit Bersama (MSB), which she claimed has not met the environmental standards required of palm oil processing plants.
“We urge the Gakkum LHK, from both national and provincial levels, to conduct inspections, investigations, and legal action where violations—particularly concerning environmental permits—are found,” Dewita stressed.
She concluded that strict monitoring is crucial to prevent further environmental degradation and to uphold the rights of communities living near palm oil industry sites. (*)
Reported by: Nukman Suryadi Angkat
