Trial in Duta Palma Money Laundering Case: Expert Estimates Environmental Damage at Rp 73.9 Trillion

Professor Bambang Hero Saharjo, an environmental expert and professor at IPB University, has revealed allegations of environmental damage resulting from palm oil plantation activities in forest areas, amounting to Rp 73.9 trillion.

This was stated by Bambang during the trial of the alleged corruption and money laundering (TPPU) case involving the Duta Palma Group corporation, at the Central Jakarta District Court on Friday (8/5/2026).

“The fixed environmental loss is Rp 73,920,690,300,000,” Bambang disclosed during the proceedings on Friday.

Bambang explained that his team calculated the environmental damage using the basis of Ministry of Environment Regulation No. 7 of 2014.

“The calculation has a legal basis, namely Ministry of Environment Regulation No. 7 of 2014,” he said.

He emphasised that the calculation method used is scientifically accountable.

“We calculated using detailed satellite imagery. So, we know their movements every year,” Bambang stated.

Bambang highlighted the palm oil plantation activities located in forest areas without any land function conversion process.

“If there is no such process, it’s the same as planting palm oil on forest land,” he said.

“It seems odd to us that there is no land conversion, yet there are IUP or HGU permits. How is that possible? That is an absolute requirement,” he added.

According to Bambang, based on field verification and reconstruction using satellite imagery, several companies were found to have systematically planted palm oil in forest areas.

“That area has physically changed into palm oil plantations intentionally and systematically,” he said.

Furthermore, Bambang affirmed that palm oil plants are not forestry crops and therefore should not be planted in forest areas.

He also stated that if an IUP is found in a forest area without land release, that permit should be revoked.

“In my opinion, the IUP should be cancelled,” he said.