Indonesian govt says forest task force secures US$20 billion assets

“President Prabowo Subianto established the task force to ensure forest management follows the law,” Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman said Friday.

Abdurachman said Indonesia has faced years of widespread and organized violations in forest areas.

Mining, palm oil plantations and other business activities have operated inside conservation, protected and production forests without required permits.

The government responded by issuing Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025 on forest area regulation.

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Violators face severe penalties, including administrative sanctions, repossession of forest areas and criminal charges for unauthorized activities, Abdurachman said.

“The task force has produced tangible results for the state and Indonesian people,” he said, referring to achievements recorded between February 2025 and April 2026.

In the palm oil sector, the task force reclaimed 5,889,143 hectares of forest between February 2025 and May 2026.

In mining during the same period, the state regained control of 12,371.58 hectares of forest land.

Abdurachman said the task force also strengthened state finances through direct cash transfers to government accounts.

As of May 13, 2026, the task force transferred Rp10.27 trillion, equivalent to about US$553 million, into state coffers.

“This proves forest control not only restores land and assets but also strengthens state finances and resource ownership,” he said.

Abdurachman praised task force personnel, saying their work could strengthen legal enforcement, improve forestry governance and support fair business practices.

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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Resinta Sulistiyandari