House Legislation Body Approves Harmonisation of Forestry Law Amendment Bill

The Legislation Body (Baleg) of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has approved the harmonisation of the Bill on the Fourth Amendment to Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry. All factions within Baleg agreed to the bill.

The decision-making meeting on the harmonisation results of the Forestry Bill was held at the DPR building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (18/2/2026). Baleg Chairman Bob Hasan stated that all factions in Baleg approved the harmonisation results to be processed to the next stage.

“Based on the mini-faction views from the eight factions, overall approval was given. That the conception or harmonisation, rounding, and consolidation of the conception of the bill on the fourth amendment to Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry is to be subsequently submitted to the bill’s proponents for processing in accordance with the provisions of the DPR RI’s rules of procedure and the DPR RI’s regulations on the formation of legislation, to be processed as appropriate, as prevailing legislation. Can this be approved?” said Bob Hasan.

“Agreed,” answered the meeting participants.

Chairman of the Harmonisation Working Committee (Panja) for the Forestry Bill, Sturman Panjaitan, said the working committee had completed the technical and substantive discussion of the bill. He stated that his party had also requested input from the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) on 9 and 15 June 2026.

“The harmonisation, rounding, and consolidation of the conception have been discussed intensively and in depth in the working committee meeting of the Legislation Body together with the proponents,” said Sturman.

Sturman noted several refinements. These included 13 technical corrections adjusted to Law Number 12 of 2011 concerning the Formation of Legislation, the refinement of provisions regarding state control of forests in accordance with Constitutional Court Decision Number 35/PUU-X/2012, and the addition of an obligation to involve community participation in the designation of forest areas.

“Returning the formulation of Article 24 and Article 41 to the currently applicable law regarding the utilisation of forest areas that are partially excluded, namely in nature reserves and core zones of national parks, including the reforestation obligation which is excluded, namely nature reserves and core zones of national parks,” he said.

He stated that other changes included adding formulations regarding the existence of indigenous communities and the control and ownership of existing land. Furthermore, it mandates the obligation to involve affected communities in all stages of forest area designation.

There are also provisions regarding the delegation of the completion of implementing regulations. Additionally, provisions for monitoring and review were added to the closing provisions.

“Based on technical, substantive aspects, and the principles of legislative formation, the Working Committee is of the opinion that the bill on the fourth amendment to Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry can be proposed as a bill initiated by the DPR RI,” he concluded.