Permit revocations not selective, fully transparent: Forest Task Force

hartono · Jan 25, 2026

The Forest Law Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) spokesperson Barita Simanjuntak during a press conference after a coordination meeting at the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) office, Jakarta, on Wednesday (January 14, 2026). (ANTARA/Rizka Khaerunnisa)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Forest Law Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) has emphasized that the revocation of permits for companies violating forest use regulations is not selective, as it follows a thorough and transparent investigation process.

Satgas PKH spokesperson Barita Simanjuntak told ANTARA on Sunday that before President Prabowo Subianto announced the revocation of 28 corporate permits on Tuesday (January 20), a series of studies, investigations, inspections, and audits had already been conducted.

“So, it is inaccurate to say the process was not transparent or was selective, because it was lengthy, the data was comprehensive and accurate, and all factors leading to the revocations were fully documented,” he said.

According to Simanjuntak, the government management system, especially regarding permit revocation for companies violating forest area use, is strict. He assured that transparency and accountability were maintained throughout the process.

“When the President decides to revoke permits, it is the result of a long process of data collection and comprehensive analysis. Objectivity and factual findings from the field were fully compiled, reported, and discussed over an extended period,” he added.

The decision to revoke permits for 28 companies was the outcome of this extensive process. Some of the companies were linked to flash floods and landslides in North Sumatra at the end of 2025.

“Yes, some were linked to flooding. Others were not related to floods but still violated regulations, and we have the data,” Simanjuntak said.

He explained that the task force is authorized to carry out law enforcement actions against both corporate and individual entities that unlawfully manage forest areas.

“There are production forests and conservation forests. Under Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025, the task force is mandated to handle such violations,” he said.