Floods in Indonesia: The government revokes the licences of eight companies over environmental damage
The Ministry of the Environment has launched an investigation into corporate responsibility for the devastation caused by violent floods and landslides. Some 50,000 of the 340,000 hectares of forest have been logged. For Environment Minister Hanif, there will be serious repercussions. A further review is underway regarding permits. The death toll rises to 753, while experts are calling for a declaration of national disaster.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Indonesia's Ministry of the Environment (KLH) has revoked the licences of eight companies suspected of contributing to the violent floods and landslides that hit West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh, displacing more than a million people.
Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq also announced the start of an investigation into the disaster regarding operating business licences. According to the government, the companies who lost their permits to operate in the affected regions will be subject to further review.
“Starting Thursday, 4 December, we will revoke all environmental approvals related to the companies operating in the disaster-affected areas,” Hanif said after a meeting with XII Commission of the House of Representatives today.
He added that seven of the eight companies have been identified, while the eighth, located in Batang Toru, is still inactive but will still be investigated.
“Of course, we must remain fair,” he said, confirming that all eight companies will be summoned next Monday for questioning by the deputy minister.
Given the high number of victims – more than 1,300, if those in Thailand and Sri Lanka are included – the minister pledged that “criminal measures will certainly follow since the disaster caused loss of live.”
The minister suspects that the activities of several companies in the three provinces have contributed to worsening weather anomalies and extreme rainfall patterns.
Of the 340,000 hectares of forest in the affected areas, approximately 50,000 have reportedly been degraded into barren, treeless land. “With such conditions upstream, even moderate rainfall can lead to severe impacts,” Hanif said.
Deputy Environment Minister Diaz Hendropriyono noted that the same eight companies will be summoned so that potential violations related to environmental permits, land management, and vegetation regulations can be examined.
“We will summon them to assess the completeness of their environmental documents and check compliance," he explained, adding that further investigations will be conducted by the General Directorate of Law Enforcement (Gakkum).
Sanctions have not yet been determined, pending confirmation of the violations.
The ministry will also investigate companies suspected of aggravating the floods in Aceh and West Sumatra.
The National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) reported that, as of yesterday morning, the death toll from floods and landslides in the three provinces had reached 753, with 650 people still missing.
A disaster expert from Airlangga University said that the situation clearly meets the criteria for a declaration of national disaster under Law No. 24/2007, given the rising number of casualties, extensive damage, and severe impact on the territory.
“With the number of victims and material losses continuing to rise, this disaster deserves national status,” he said.
He also emphasised that the cause "cannot be attributed solely to extreme weather conditions," pointing to clear evidence of widespread illegal logging.
The BNPB and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) reported the following figures: 218 dead and 227 missing in Aceh, 301 people killed and 163 missing in North Sumatra province, and 234 people killed and 260 missing in West Sumatra.
The total number of residents affected stands at 3.3 million.
In the three provinces, at least 2,600 people have been injured, while Basarnas evacuated 35,857 people.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno said that the government is already mobilising resources nationwide even though a state of national disaster has not been declared.
President Prabowo instructed all ministries and agencies, as well as the military and police, to provide their full support.
Under Law No. 24/2007, a state of disaster, whether at the national, provincial, or city level, is determined based on factors such as casualties, material losses, damage to infrastructure, territorial scope, and socioeconomic impact.
.png)
27/12/2006
