Enforcement of Mining in Forest Areas: Forest Area Task Force Drives Recovery of State Rights
JAKARTA — The Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) is currently calculating administrative fines as a follow-up to efforts to enforce compliance with forest area usage by mining entities deemed to have failed to meet licensing requirements. This step is being taken to ensure business operators comply with environmental regulations.
Satgas PKH spokesperson Barita Simanjuntak explained that the task force has reasserted control over mining land in the North Maluku forest area through the placement of sealing notices. This process is part of standardised procedures in maintaining forest area integrity nationwide.
In the enforcement effort in North Maluku, Satgas PKH sealed the operational area of a company with the initials MT. The related team is currently calculating the value of administrative fines arising from land usage deemed inconsistent with the applicable requirements.
Barita stressed that to date, Satgas PKH has not released official information regarding the detailed amount of fine charges. However, he guaranteed that the entire calculation process is conducted transparently, objectively, and based on accountable working mechanisms.
“On a regular basis, the task force informs the public regarding performance achievements, both in reasserting control over forest areas and the realisation of administrative fine payments,” Barita told journalists on Wednesday (11 March).
Meanwhile, legal observer and former KPK investigator Yudi Purnomo Harahap considered it important for inter-agency coordination in resolving this enforcement matter. The measure is regarded as strategic to ensure the recovery of state rights runs optimally and provides legal certainty for the investment climate in the mining sector.
This effort is expected to serve as a catalyst for all business operators to continue improving governance quality and ensure that every operational activity aligns with the applicable forest area usage regulations.
“The task force must move quickly to resolve this issue so there is a deterrent effect,” said Yudi.