Riau Police Chief to Take Firm Action Against Palm Oil Companies Damaging Riverbanks
The Police Chief affirmed that riverbank areas are protected zones vital for maintaining water resources, preventing erosion, and minimizing flood risks.
“We will not discriminate. If there are companies brazen enough to plant palm oil right up to the river’s edge and damage the watershed, we will impose strict sanctions according to applicable law,” said Inspector General Herry Heryawan in a statement on Saturday (17/5/2026).
He reminded that the widespread practice of converting riverbank areas into palm oil plantations is considered a violation of Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, as well as government regulations regarding safe distance limits for watersheds.
According to regulations, an area of at least 100 meters from either side of major rivers and 50 meters from the banks of smaller tributaries must be free from commercial cultivation activities. However, in reality, many palm trees are found planted right up to the water’s edge.
He conveyed that the negative impacts of allowing this include river siltation due to high soil erosion no longer being contained by native vegetation. In addition, rivers are at risk of pollution from chemical fertilizer and pesticide residues from palm oil activities flowing directly into residents’ water sources.
The damage in riverbank areas is also feared to harm biota, resulting in the loss of natural habitats for fish and other river fauna.
The Police Chief affirmed that they will take firm action by imposing layered sanctions on individuals or corporations proven to have committed environmental damage. In addition to criminal sanctions for corporate management, the Riau Police are also encouraging the implementation of administrative sanctions in the form of revocation of business licenses and the obligation to restore land.
This firm measure is in line with the Green Policing program promoted by the Riau Police. Green policing is a strategic police approach that expands the role of law enforcement into environmental conservation.
This concept focuses on preventing environmental damage, enforcing the law against those who damage ecosystems (such as illegal logging and pollution), and educating the public to create ecological justice.