PALMOILMAGAZINE, PELALAWAN — The Indonesian government has taken a concrete step to rescue Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) from worsening environmental degradation. In his role as Chairman of the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH), Defense Minister (Ret.) Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin is scheduled to visit the conservation forest in Pelalawan, Riau, on Tuesday, June 10, marking the official launch of the task force’s operations.
The task force, established under Presidential Regulation No. 5/2025, begins its mission with this high-level visit. According to an official Satgas PKH document dated June 4 and signed by Secretariat Head Andi Herman, Sjafrie and his delegation will arrive at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base in Pekanbaru at 08:30 AM before continuing by helicopter to Dusun Toro Jaya, Lubuk Kembang Bunga Village, Ukui District.
At the site, the task force will install prohibition signs, carry out symbolic tree planting, and hold a press conference. The delegation is expected to return to Jakarta later that same day.
Also Read: Smallholders Encouraged to Measure Carbon Emissions: FORTASBI Holds Training in Pekanbaru
Although the Ministry of Defense has not issued an official statement, multiple sources confirm Sjafrie’s presence. Local residents have also reported a noticeable military presence in recent days.
“TNI soldiers have been seen moving around the forest, and warning banners have been put up at access points,” said Andi, a resident of Dusun Toro Jaya, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com from Riau Satu on June 10.
The Satgas PKH is a multi-agency task force led by Sjafrie and supported by top legal and security officials, including Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin, TNI Commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto, and National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo. The field operations will be led by Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah, who serves as the task force’s operational commander.
In a recent meeting with Commission III of the House of Representatives, Febrie stressed that TNTN is a top priority due to its “extreme” level of destruction. Of the park’s 81,700 hectares, over 65,000 hectares have been converted to oil palm plantations, allegedly controlled by corporate interests and wealthy investors.
This leaves only about 13,700 hectares of intact forest—far below the conservation goals set when the national park was established. Past efforts to save the area, such as the Tesso Nilo Ecosystem Revitalization Team (RETN) formed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in 2016 and a national anti-corruption initiative led by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in 2015, have failed to halt illegal encroachment.
Government Sends a Strong Signal
This visit signals the central government’s intent to reclaim authority over a conservation area that has long been under de facto illegal control. In its early phase, the task force is expected to prioritize a persuasive approach, including awareness campaigns for communities living near the forest.
Warning signs have already been installed, clearly stating that clearing, selling, or managing land within the conservation area is prohibited. However, the operation has raised concerns among residents.
“People are anxious. Many have been farming oil palm here for years. There’s worry their land could be confiscated without compensation,” Andi explained.
This has reignited debate around social justice. Civil society groups urge the government to distinguish between smallholders and large-scale financiers, noting that many villagers had developed farms before the area was designated a national park, and have received no formal land status or resolution for years.
One high-profile case involved Yayasan Riau Madani, which sued over 1,200 hectares of oil palm plantations allegedly linked to a private company. Despite the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the foundation, the plantation reportedly continues operating.
With Satgas PKH’s field operations now underway, hopes have been reignited that protecting TNTN may finally go beyond lip service. But the real test lies in whether the task force will target major offenders rather than just smallholders who rely on the forest to survive.
The government is expected to uphold both ecological and social justice, ensuring that enforcement is carried out fairly, transparently, and through inclusive dialogue. (P2)
