Indonesia Suspends 26 Corporate Permits over Forest Fires

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni announced that 26 corporate permits have been suspended due to land and forest fires in Indonesia. This decision is part of enforcement measures led by the Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement (Gakkum Kehutanan) and may include environmental restoration and potential criminal prosecution if unlawful activities are found.

Raja Juli made the announcement after a meeting with Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta. The suspended permits will be replaced with mandatory environmental restoration, and in cases of criminality, criminal proceedings will be pursued alongside the police. The ministry classifies this action as an administrative sanction, specifically a permit suspension, aimed at strengthening law enforcement.

However, the identities of the 26 companies and locations have not been disclosed. Additionally, Gakkum is investigating 46 cases, with 15 involving corporations and 31 involving individuals, at various stages of investigation. The ministry imposed the initial sanctions on six Forest Utilization Business Permit (PBPH) holders in August 2026 after discovering fires in 1,511.55 hectares of concession land in West, Central, and East Kalimantan.