ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — The Indonesian state has officially struck back. Under President Prabowo Subianto, the government has launched an unprecedented crackdown on corporate violations in the forestry and natural resources sector, reclaiming more than 4 million hectares of forest land and recovering IDR 6.6 trillion (approx. USD 420 million) in state losses in less than a year.
The milestone was announced during the fifth phase of forest reclamation by the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force at the Attorney General’s Office in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 24, 2025, with President Prabowo personally in attendance.
Forests Reclaimed, Trillions Returned to the State
Attorney General ST Burhanuddin reported that in Phase V alone, the government reclaimed 893,002.38 hectares of forest land, alongside the collection of IDR 2.34 trillion in administrative forestry fines.
The fines were imposed on 20 palm oil companies and one nickel mining company found to have illegally occupied forest areas.
In addition, the Attorney General’s Office handed over IDR 4.28 trillion in recovered state funds from major corruption cases, including the crude palm oil (CPO) export scandal and the sugar import corruption case, both involving large corporate actors.
In total, IDR 6.625 trillion was symbolically transferred by the Attorney General to the Minister of Finance, marking one of the largest asset recovery moments in Indonesia’s recent history.
Targets Smashed, State Assets Secured
Within just 10 months, the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force has reclaimed 4,081,560.58 hectares of forest land—more than 400 percent of its initial target. The estimated value of the reclaimed land exceeds IDR 150 trillion, underscoring the scale of losses previously suffered by the state.
The reclaimed areas include:
– 1.7 million hectares of oil palm plantations, transferred for management to PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara;
– 688,427 hectares of conservation forest across nine provinces, returned to the Ministry of Forestry for ecological restoration;
– 81,793 hectares within Tesso Nilo National Park, designated for reforestation.
Prabowo: “This Is Only the Tip of the Iceberg”
In his address, President Prabowo stressed that the recovered assets represent only a fraction of the true losses inflicted on the nation over decades of unchecked exploitation.
“This is just the beginning. These violations have been happening for decades. If we calculate the real damage, the penalties could reach hundreds of trillions of rupiah,” Prabowo said.
He also revealed the intense resistance faced by enforcement teams, including obstruction, intimidation, and the use of paid groups to challenge state officers in remote areas.
“There were efforts to block verification, to intimidate officers, even to mobilize paid enforcers. All of this happened far from cameras and media attention,” he added.
‘Warriors and Patriots of the Nation’
President Prabowo praised the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force members as “true warriors and patriots”, emphasizing that their work goes beyond law enforcement to safeguarding Indonesia’s future.
“You are not working for popularity. You are working for the future of this nation,” Prabowo declared.
He reaffirmed that the government would not retreat in the face of political pressure, disinformation, or resistance from powerful vested interests.
“In 2026, we will take even bolder steps,” the President vowed.
Law Enforcement as a Pillar of Sovereignty
Attorney General ST Burhanuddin emphasized that forest enforcement is not merely about money or land, but about legal sovereignty, environmental justice, and national dignity.
“Forests are a divine gift to the Indonesian people. They must serve the public interest, not a narrow group of elites,” he said.
The event was attended by senior members of the Merah Putih Cabinet, the Commander of the Armed Forces, the National Police Chief, and other key institutional leaders—signaling a full consolidation of state power in Indonesia’s campaign against illegal forest occupation and natural resource corruption. (AT Network)
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