Lawmakers Back Riau Police in Prosecuting Environmental-Damaging Corporations: A Model for Others
We will support the law enforcement authorities to ensure enforcement is fully completed,” Martin told reporters on Friday, 22 May 2026. He said law enforcement in Riau could set an example for other regions to not fear prosecuting corporations that harm the state. He added that such actions should be sustained.
“In other words, it can also serve as an example elsewhere. These kinds of matters should not be feared. So the enforcement must be applied,” he said.
“Transparency must be maintained. All are equal in the eyes of the law. So there should be no hiding. No matter if it’s a small company or a large company, if they violate, they will be prosecuted,” he added.
Earlier, the Riau Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate (Reskrimsus) charged PT Musim Mas as a corporate suspect in a case of alleged environmental damage. The practice of Musim Mas is accused of tainting the banks of the Air Hitam River—a tributary of the Nilo River—by palm oil plantations along the river boundary.
This case came to light after police received a complaint from the Asosiasi Peduli Lingkungan Indonesia (APLI) Riau in December 2025. In the complaint, APLI reported palm oil plantations located only 2-5 metres from the riverbank.
Reskrimsus of the Riau Police then conducted a thorough investigation. After a long inquiry, the police finally named PT Musim Mas as a corporate suspect in the environmental-damage case.
Police said there were ecological losses caused by palm oil planting along the river course within the Estate IV Division F of PT MM, Air Hitam Village, Ukui District, Pelalawan Regency.
Not only environmental damage, PT Musim Mas was also found not to have considered the environmental impact assessment associated with the planting of oil palm along the river boundary.
Riau Police Chief, Inspector General Herry Heryawan, fully committed to acting against individuals or corporations proven to damage and plant oil palm in river boundary areas. This firm action is a response to the widening damage to river ecosystems caused by illegal land expansion that disregards environmental regulations.
The Police Chief emphasised that the river boundary is a protected zone vital to preserving water quality, preventing erosion, and minimising flood risk.
“We will not target selectively. If there are corporations that push palm oil planting to the riverbank and damage the river basin, we will sanction them firmly according to applicable law,” said Irjen Herry Heryawan in a statement on Saturday, 17 May.