Forestry Draft Bill Increases Penalties for Forest Clearing

Penalties for forest clearing violations will be increased, including permanent revocation of permits. This regulation is regulated in the revision of Law No. 41 of 1999 on Forestry, as amended by Regulation of the Government in Lieu of Law No. 2 of 2022 on Job Creation (collectively referred to as “Law 41/1999”).

“In the future, sanctions will be strengthened, including permanent revocation for permit holders who damage the environment,” said Daniel Johan, a member of Commission IV of the House of Representatives (“DPR”), to Hukumonline.

This draft bill is a decisive step in combating the misuse of permits to open up forest areas for development purposes. The permanent moratorium is specifically for primary forests, peatlands, protected forests, and high-value conservation areas.

Additionally, the Forestry Draft Bill will regulate digital-based licensing audits, making them accessible to the public as a form of transparency and accountability. “The Forestry Draft Bill must ensure that forests remain a national ecological buffer, not merely an object of exploitation,” said Daniel.