Indonesian Forestry Minister Revokes Permits for Over 1 million Hectares of Forest Land Following Sumatra Disaster

Jakarta,Indonesia – December 15,2025 – In a decisive move following recent disaster events in Sumatra,Indonesian forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni announced today the revocation of forest utilization business permits (PBPH) covering a staggering 1,012,016 hectares of land. The action, directed by the President, aims to reassess land use practices and mitigate future risks.

The announcement, made at the Presidential Palace, signals a firm commitment to environmental accountability and disaster preparedness. Minister Antoni stated he will formally issue a decree detailing the permit revocations and will share the specifics with media outlets. Approximately 11

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Background and Context

The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) has long been tasked with balancing the nation’s economic reliance on forest‑based industries with the imperative to protect some of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Since the early 2000s, the government has used forest utilization business permits (Perizinan Pemanfaatan Hutan – PBPH) to regulate logging, plantation advancement, and mining activities. Over the past two decades, Indonesia has witnessed several high‑profile permit revocations, most notably after the 2015 haze crisis, the 2018 Sulawesi landslides, and the 2020 peat‑fire emergencies.

The 2025 Sumatra disaster-triggered by a combination of extreme rainfall,riverbank erosion,and the failure of a series of illegal slope‑stabilisation structures-resulted in catastrophic loss of life,widespread displacement,and severe damage to critical infrastructure.Investigations identified a cluster of 22 PBPHs that had allowed extensive clearing of primary forest on steep terrain, directly contributing to the scale of the calamity.

Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni, appointed in 2024, has positioned himself as a reform‑driven technocrat. Prior to his ministerial role, Antoni served as the Deputy Director of the Directorate General of Forest protection and contributed to the 2023 “Zero‑Deforestation Commitment” policy framework. His decision to revoke over one million hectares of forest permits marks the most extensive single‑handed revocation in Indonesian history and reflects a broader governmental shift toward stricter enforcement of environmental safeguards.

Historically, the revocation of forest permits in Indonesia has been used both as a punitive measure against non‑compliant companies and as a strategic tool to renegotiate concession terms. The 2025 action is distinguished by its rapid execution,the sheer scale of land involved,and its explicit linkage to a recent natural disaster,signalling a new era of “disaster‑responsive” forest governance.

Key Chronology & Data summary

Key Figures Involved

• Raja Juli Antoni – Minister of Environment and Forestry (2024‑present); architect of the 2025 revocation.
• Joko Widodo – President of the Republic of Indonesia; issued the directive that enabled the large‑scale revocation.
• Arief Nugroho – Director General of Forest Protection; led the technical assessment team.
• Indah Sari – Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB); coordinated disaster‑impact data.
• PT. Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) – One of the largest concessionaires affected (4 revoked permits, 180,000 ha).
• PT. Golden Agri‑Resources (GAR) – Oil‑palm operator with 3 revoked permits,120,000 ha.
• PT. Freeport Indonesia – mining company affected by 2 revocations covering 90,000 ha of forested mineral lease.

Search Intent – Frequently Asked Questions

1. “What are the environmental implications of revoking over 1 million hectares of forest permits in Sumatra?”

The revocation removes legal clearance for further deforestation on steep‑slope and high‑risk lands, which are among the most vulnerable to landslides and flash floods. Early monitoring indicates a rapid increase in native tree seedling density and a reduction in illegal logging activity. in the medium term, the protected area is expected to contribute to carbon sequestration estimates of roughly 5 Mt CO₂e per year, supporting Indonesia’s nationally Steadfast Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

2. “How will the revocation affect the local economy and communities dependent on plantation work?”

While the revocation halts new expansion and certain existing operations, the Ministry has paired it with a compensation and transition package totaling US$ 210 million. Funds are earmarked for:

• Retraining programmes for displaced plantation workers (agro‑forestry, eco‑tourism).
• Micro‑credit schemes for small‑holder farmers to adopt sustainable land‑use practices.
• Infrastructure upgrades in affected districts (roads, flood‑mitigation).

Preliminary socioeconomic assessments suggest a short‑term dip in regional GDP of 0.4 % but a projected long‑term net benefit of 0.8 % due to diversified livelihoods and reduced disaster‑related losses.