PALMOILMAGAZINE, PASANGKAYU – West Sulawesi Governor Suhardi Duka has reaffirmed that the palm oil plantation sector remains one of Indonesia’s key strategic commodities, both in terms of national economic contribution and the country’s position in the global commodity landscape.
Speaking during an iftar gathering hosted by the Pasangkayu Regency Government at the Regent’s Official Residence on Sunday, Suhardi emphasized that palm oil plays a crucial role in supporting regional economic growth and improving community welfare, particularly in areas heavily dependent on the plantation sector.
He noted that approximately 80% of the economic activities in Pasangkayu Regency are linked to the palm oil industry.
829 Hectares of Oil Palm in Forest Areas Taken Over
During the event, the governor also addressed law enforcement efforts in the plantation sector following findings by the Forest Area Control Task Force (Satgas PKH) regarding company-owned oil palm plantations located within designated forest areas.
According to reports cited from Kalbarsulbar, around 829 hectares of oil palm plantation land belonging to a company—suspected to be located inside forest zones—have been taken over by the state.
The move reflects the government’s firm stance in ensuring legal compliance in the palm oil sector.
Suhardi stressed that authorities remain committed to enforcing regulations without discrimination, including against business actors with close ties to political power.
He also highlighted the importance of plantation companies fulfilling their regional tax obligations, including payments related to surface water taxes, which represent an important source of local government revenue.
The provincial government, he said, will not hesitate to impose sanctions on companies that fail to meet their obligations in accordance with existing regulations.
Strengthening oversight and regulatory enforcement is expected to support more transparent, fair, and sustainable governance of the palm oil plantation sector in West Sulawesi. (P2)
