PKB Legislator Backs PDI-P Call for Forest Moratorium as ‘Ecological Repentance’

Daniel Johan, a member of the House of Representatives’ Commission IV from the National Awakening Party (PKB), agrees with Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto that policies related to forest use should be placed under a moratorium, following widespread forest and land fires in Indonesia. Johan said a moratorium on forest use would be a tangible expression of ecological repentance.

“This moratorium is part of efforts to restore damaged forests, a concrete expression of ecological repentance and a step to save the remaining forests from being converted to other uses,” Johan told reporters on Monday (19 October 2026).

Johan said unburnt primary forest must be protected. Primary forest that has already been burnt, he added, must be restored.

“The remaining primary forests must be protected so that their protective and conservation functions are maintained, while damaged primary forests must be restored, so that the public also helps protect the environment and forests,” he said.

The PKB executive board chair said the party’s cadres across Indonesia also regularly take part in tree-planting activities.

“This policy must become a national policy and movement so that its impact is truly felt,” he added.

Hasto had earlier highlighted the forest and land fires that continue to occur in Indonesia, and called for a moratorium on policies related to forest use.

“Returning to the forest fires, the first problem is flawed policy stemming from spatial planning. That is why, when she was president, Mrs Mega did not issue permits for oil palm plantations, especially on forest land. Forests must be protected, and there must be a moratorium on forests,” Hasto said in a statement on Sunday (18 October).

Hasto said Megawati Soekarnoputri, Indonesia’s fifth president and PDI-P chair, had repeatedly spoken about the negative impact of oil palm planting on other vegetation. He called for strict sanctions against those responsible for setting fires to clear land.

“Secondly, the rule of law must be upheld. Those who clear land by burning it must face strict sanctions, especially if, after burning it, the land is converted to oil palm,” Hasto said.

“Mrs Mega says it is a very arrogant plant because it does not allow other plants to grow around it,” he added.