Indonesia: Environment Minister Halts Operations of 3 Companies, Discovers Massive Land Clearing

Jakarta – Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has temporarily suspended the activities of all companies operating in the Batang Toru Watershed, North Sumatra.

In addition, the Ministry of Environment will also conduct environmental audits, including those of palm oil, mining, and power generation companies.

The three companies visited by Hanif are PT Agincourt Resources, PT Perkebunan Nusantara III (PTPN III), and PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy (NSHE), the developer of the Batang Toru hydroelectric power plant.

“Starting December 6, 2025, all companies in the upstream Batang Toru Watershed are required to cease operations and undergo environmental audits. We have summoned the three companies for an official inspection on December 8, 2025, in Jakarta. The Batang Toru and Garoga Watersheds are strategic areas with ecological and social functions that must not be compromised,” said Environment Minister Hanif Faisol on Saturday (December 6, 2025), as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized the need for a comprehensive evaluation of all business activities in the area, especially with extreme rainfall now reaching more than 300 mm per day.

“Environmental recovery must be viewed as a unified landscape. We will assess the damage, assess the legal aspects, and do not rule out the possibility of criminal proceedings if violations are found that exacerbate the disaster,” said Hanif.

The decision to temporarily suspend operations and conduct the evaluation followed aerial and ground inspections in the upper reaches of the Batang Toru and Garoga watersheds.

The Ministry of Environment’s aerial monitoring revealed massive land clearing, which is increasing pressure on the watershed. [-RWA]