PALMOILMAGAZINE, North Sumatra – Parabuhan Hasibuan, Head of Ujung Gading Julu Village in North Sumatra and a smallholder oil palm farmer, shared the hardships faced by his community over land that he has cultivated for nearly three decades. The 4.5-hectare plot he planted with oil palm in 1995 is now suddenly classified as forest land.
“Our village has existed long before Indonesia’s independence. Yet today, oil palm plantations we have managed since 1995 are suddenly labeled as forest areas. This is the problem we face,” Parabuhan explained during an online discussion in late July 2025 attended by Palmoilmagazine.com.
He argued that the Forest Destruction Prevention and Eradication Task Force (Satgas PKH) has been inconsistent in enforcing regulations. According to him, Articles 12A, 17A, and 110B of the Forest Destruction Law clearly provide exemptions for communities cultivating less than five hectares continuously for more than five years. In practice, however, these exemptions are not being honored.
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“They refuse to recognize the law. Even plots as small as one or two hectares are still being targeted. As a result, communities feel oppressed,” he stressed.
Parabuhan further lamented that the situation worsens when seized community land is handed over to large corporations, such as PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara. “When Satgas PKH comes, smallholder farms of one, two, or three hectares can be taken right away, while big companies benefit. This is deeply unfair,” he said.
He voiced hope that Indonesia’s Constitutional Court (MK) would issue a ruling that truly protects smallholders. He emphasized the need for a decision that grants clear, unconditional exemptions.
“On behalf of communities in North Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, and other regions, we urge that regulations should not offer exemptions on one hand, only to add complicated forest zoning requirements on the other. What we need is real justice,” he concluded. (P2)
