ITB Professor Testifies in Duta Palma Trial: Forests Turned into Palm Oil Plantations Damage the Environment
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Soil and Environmental Damage Expert from Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Professor Basuki Wasis, stated that the conversion of tropical forest areas into palm oil plantations has caused soil and environmental damage, ultimately harming the state.
This statement was delivered during the trial for alleged corruption and Money Laundering Offences (TPPU) involving Duta Palma Group corporation at the Central Jakarta District Court on Friday (8/5/2026).
“In Duta Palma, including in Sumatra, it was formerly a tropical forest ecosystem. The change to palm oil plantations certainly causes damage,” Basuki said during the trial.
“Once the forest is damaged, there are two losses that will be experienced: losses due to environmental damage and state financial losses related to the existing forests,” he added.
According to Basuki, the primary function of forests as water regulators and carbon absorbers cannot be replaced by palm oil plantations.
“Forests produce water, and that cannot be replaced by anything else. Water for the community, water management, including the water we drink, comes from the forest,” he explained.
“The forest’s function to absorb carbon is lost when it turns into palm oil. Because the biomass of natural forests is far higher compared to palm oil plantations,” Basuki stated.
Basuki also emphasised that ecological damage occurs due to the loss of the natural functions of the forest.
“Ecological damage is the loss of the natural forest’s functions due to the presence of palm oil plantations,” he said.
“Once it becomes palm oil, it’s usually too far off. It’s very small if compared to natural forests,” he continued.
In his testimony, Basuki mentioned that the company’s activities demonstrate planning in opening forest areas for palm oil plantations.
“The PT itself clearly shows the company’s activities that are certainly planned,” he said.
He confirmed that there has been a conversion of forest areas into palm oil plantations that impacts environmental damage.