Sanctions for Environmental Damage to be Expanded

The government has begun drafting new regulations to expand the scope of administrative sanctions for types of violations not yet listed in Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry No. 14 of 2024 on the Implementation of Supervision and Administrative Sanctions in the Environmental Sector (“Regulation 14/2024”). Examples of violations currently under review include forest fires and coral reef damage.

“We are discussing what types of violations may be subject to fines,” said Dewi Sri Kurniawati, Deputy for Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Environment, to Hukumonline.

She continued that administrative sanctions are reparatory in nature and do not involve third parties such as negotiators, mediators, and courts. Therefore, fines can be imposed immediately.

In addition to expanding the types of sanctions, there is a possibility that fines will increase. However, everything must be considered comprehensively. “There is a possibility of an increase, but there must be an urgency for it,” said Dewi.