PALMOILMAGAZINE, PEKANBARU — In a move that has drawn widespread attention and praise, Riau-based palm oil entrepreneur Manaek Siahaan voluntarily handed over 500 hectares of his oil palm plantation to the Indonesian government. The land surrender supports the work of the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH), which is actively cracking down on illegal plantations within forest zones, including areas in the Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN).
This surprising yet commendable step followed an invitation by Satgas PKH to palm oil landowners operating within state forest areas to attend a coordination meeting held on Thursday evening, July 15, 2025, at the Grand Central Hotel, Pekanbaru. Manaek Siahaan attended the meeting, accompanied by Riau Provincial Parliament Member Suyadi SP from the PDI-P faction.
During the session, Satgas PKH — comprising members of the Attorney General’s Office, the military (TNI), the police (Polri), the Audit Board (BPK), the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), and other institutions — explained that they had already identified plantation owners encroaching on state forests. However, Manaek’s voluntary action earned him state recognition as a cooperative and law-abiding citizen.
Also Read: Palm Oil Company PT Banyu Kahuripan Indonesia Fined IDR 282 Billion for Environmental Damage
Larshen Yunus, Chair of the Riau Provincial DPD KNPI and spokesperson for Manaek Siahaan, emphasized that the handover was purely voluntary. “This was not the result of pressure or a legal summons. It was driven by a strong personal conviction to comply with the law. I even visited Mr. Manaek’s home in Lobusiregar I, Siborong-borong, to explain the importance of this matter — and he responded with sincere commitment,” Larshen explained in a statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Thursday (July 17, 2025).
Following the handover, the Satgas PKH team and Manaek Siahaan visited the 500-hectare plantation in Bukit Kesuma, Pangkalan Kuras sub-district, Pelalawan Regency. Their main agenda was to reverify land boundaries, marker points, and coordinates ahead of the area’s planned restoration into a forest zone through the planting of native trees.
“While Mr. Manaek was on the ground, our administrative team prepared the necessary legal documents. Our principle is clear: obedience to the state’s orders, especially from President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka,” Larshen affirmed.
This large-scale land return is seen as one of the most significant actions in Satgas PKH’s history in Riau. Based on documentation, the land was previously non-forested scrubland and was not obtained through deforestation. It was legally granted through a customary land deed issued by the Petalangan Batin Hitam Sungai Medang community on July 10, 2009.
“No trees were felled. The land was idle and planted with oil palm according to local custom. It has since become highly productive. Yet Mr. Manaek willingly returned it — a testament to his environmental commitment and respect for the law,” said Larshen.
Despite the strict provisions of Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025 on Forest Area Control, Larshen stated that his side remains supportive of the government’s national interest-oriented agenda.
“This country has full sovereignty over land, water, and all its natural resources. We are fully behind Satgas PKH and ready to stand with the people through every struggle,” he said.
The surrender marks a new chapter in forest and plantation law enforcement. It serves not only as a legal milestone but also as a model for private sector cooperation in protecting Indonesia’s natural resources.
Larshen concluded by reaffirming KNPI Riau’s commitment to standing with the people and supporting national programs to safeguard the country’s natural resource sovereignty. (P2)
