Forest Area Task Force Seals Illegal Nickel Mining Operations of PT Mineral Trobos
The Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) has sealed the operational area of PT Mineral Trobos, a nickel mining company owned by businessman David Glen Oei, in response to alleged illegal mining activities in forest regions of North Maluku.
Task Force spokesperson Barita Simanjuntak stated that the action represents part of broader efforts to control unauthorised use of forest areas. “The task force team is actively undertaking enforcement operations against illegal or unauthorised forest area management across all forest zones in Indonesia, including in North Maluku,” Barita said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.
She explained that enforcement is conducted through several measures, including land recovery, administrative fines collection, and state asset recovery. Land recovery processes are carried out by installing markers indicating that the area has been taken over by the state through the Satgas PKH.
She emphasised that all enforcement actions are conducted in a measured, accountable, and transparent manner in accordance with Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025 concerning Forest Area Enforcement and other applicable legal provisions. “Currently, the task force team is intensively verifying all suspected forest area violations in the field,” she said.
The Satgas PKH is tasked with addressing various violations in the utilisation of natural resources, including in forestry, plantation, and mining sectors, to ensure that business activities comply with legal provisions.
Barita added that each enforcement step is carried out carefully and professionally to maintain the legality of forest area utilisation.
The Satgas PKH itself was established through Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025, issued by President Prabowo Subianto, with a mandate to conduct inspections and enforcement of business activities based on natural resources in forest areas.
Environmental organisations and observers have weighed in on the enforcement actions. Ferdy Hasiman, Executive Director of Indonesia Mining & Energy Watch, emphasised the importance of maintaining a neutral and fact-based approach when evaluating alleged legal violations in the nickel mining industry.
The Indonesian Environmental Justice Network (Walhi) highlighted the absence of legal documents for the revocation of four nickel mining permits in Raja Ampat. The organisation stressed that nickel mining activities in Indonesia must also pay attention to relevant standards, particularly environmental impacts.
The Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) noted that the parliament’s response to tightening supervision of individuals backing illegal mining is long overdue.
The Satgas PKH has also taken action against illegal mining activities in Central Bangka, Bangka Belitung Province, and worked with the Ministry of Forestry and the military to destroy 31 blue tents used by illegal gold miners in the Gunung Halimun Salak National Park area. Local police have emphasised that strict action represents their commitment to preserving the environment and preventing river ecosystem damage.