Prabowo Revokes Permits of 28 Environmental Violators, Government Vows Tighter Resource Controls

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto revokes business permits of 28 companies on Monday, Jan 19, 2026 in Sumatra after investigators confirmed violations in forestry, mining, and plantation activities, a move aimed at restoring order in natural resource based industries and preventing environmental damage.

The decision was announced by State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi following a virtual limited meeting led by Prabowo from London, England, and held with the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force.

“We want to emphasize that the government remains committed to regulating natural resource based businesses so they fully comply with prevailing laws and regulations,” Prasetyo said at a press conference at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026.

He stressed that the firm action was taken to ensure Indonesia’s natural resources are managed for the greatest benefit and prosperity of the people.

“All of this is carried out for the greatest interest and prosperity of the entire Indonesian people,” Prasetyo said.

According to Prasetyo, the permits were revoked after the task force presented investigation results showing companies operating outside licensed boundaries, encroaching on protected forests, and failing to meet administrative and financial obligations.

The 28 companies consist of 22 holders of Forest Utilization Business Permits covering a total area of 1,010,592 hectares, and six non forestry companies operating in mining, plantations, and forest product utilization.

Prasetyo said the enforcement push was accelerated following severe floods and landslides that struck Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra, prompting closer scrutiny of corporate activities linked to environmental degradation.

The government underscored that the policy reflects Prabowo’s broader agenda to restructure and discipline natural resource driven economic activities, supported by the establishment of the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force under Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025.

“In one year of operations, the task force has reclaimed 4.09 million hectares of oil palm plantations inside forest areas,” Prasetyo said.

“From that area, around 900,000 hectares have been returned as conservation forests for global biodiversity, including 81,793 hectares within Tesso Nilo National Park in Riau,” he added.

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The announcement was attended by senior officials including Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin, Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Minister Nusron Wahid, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Deputy Environment Minister Diaz Hendropriyono.

Among the companies affected is PT Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk or INRU, a pulp producer long linked historically to large forestry tycoon Sukanto Tanoto. His Royal Golden Eagle group controls major pulp and paper assets including Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper and APRIL Group, although his ownership in INRU ended after the shares were transferred to Allied Hill Limited in early 2025.

Another prominent name is PT Agincourt Resources, operator of the Martabe gold mine in South Tapanuli, which is part of the Astra Group through its parent PT United Tractors Tbk.

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Agincourt Resources said it had not yet received official notification regarding a civil lawsuit reportedly filed by the Ministry of Environment.

“At this time, the company cannot provide further comment as we have not received formal notification or the civil lawsuit letter,” the company said in an official statement.

The company added that it would respect the ongoing legal process and comply with all regulatory mechanisms, while noting that production at the Martabe mine has been temporarily suspended since Saturday, Dec 6, 2025 following regulator directives.