PM Prabowo’s call to expand oil palm plantations in Indonesia is ‘dangerous’: Green groups
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto described oil palm as a national asset that has become a “strategic material” eyed by many foreign countries.
PHOTO: ST FILE
Linda Yulisman
UPDATED Jan 03, 2025, 04:40 PM
JAKARTA – A call by the Indonesian President to expand oil palm plantations has drawn backlash from environmental and farmers’ groups, which warn that his comments may set back efforts to curb deforestation in the country.
In a development planning meeting on Dec 30, Mr Prabowo Subianto described oil palm as a national asset that has become a “strategic material” eyed by many foreign countries. He urged Indonesia’s local and law enforcement officials to protect these plantations.
“I think we must expand oil palm cultivation. There’s no need to fear deforestation,” he said. “Oil palm is a tree with leaves. It absorbs carbon dioxide.”
Green groups have criticised Mr Prabowo’s statement as “dangerous”, adding that it could be taken by government officials as a directive to enlarge oil palm plantations.
“The statement conveyed by Mr Prabowo as the president was dangerous because it would be interpreted by government officials as an instruction to continue land expansion (for plantations) and the clearing of natural forests, which would be devastating,” Mr Andi Muttaqien, executive director of green group Satya Bumi, told The Straits Times.
“As deforestation was not seen as a problem, this will legitimise expansion. This is dangerous.”
This could lead to a rise in social conflicts as well as disputes over land ownership, said conservation groups.
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Added Mr Andi: “If the growth of the palm oil industry is left unchecked, there will be potential big losses in the long term both economically and ecologically.”
Based on research by a coalition of civil society organisations, including Satya Bumi, he added, Indonesia can accommodate only up to 18.15 million ha of oil palm plantations.
If this is exceeded, the country’s ability to support living creatures in the long term will be affected.
Palm oil is used in cooking, cosmetics and jet fuel, and as at 2024, Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of this commodity.
The archipelago already has 17.3 million ha of oil palm plantations, equal to 1.5 times the size of Java island, according to Indonesia’s Geospatial Information Agency.
Millions of hectares of the country’s forests have been cleared for agriculture in recent decades. Sumatra has lost 80 per cent of its forest cover and Kalimantan about 50 per cent.
One environmental group has voiced concern about the potential for increased conflicts.
Ms Uli Arta Siagian, Walhi forest and plantation campaign manager, told ST that for a long time, the police and military in Indonesia had tended to side with palm oil companies embroiled in conflict with the local communities, and often used intimidation and violence against them.
“The instruction (from Mr Prabowo) will legitimise the adoption of a security approach in the operation of palm oil companies by security personnel, which may increase cases where the local communities are intimidated, face violence or are criminalised,” she said.
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South-east Asia’s farmers are under threat from new EU rules on palm oilIndonesia, Malaysia applaud EU’s proposal to delay anti-deforestation law by a year
Mr Prabowo’s comments came as Indonesia, a major palm oil exporter, makes preparations to comply with the EU’s Deforestation Regulation, which will kick in on Dec 30, 2025, after it was pushed back by a year.
The law requires exporters of seven agricultural commodities, including palm oil, rubber and cocoa, to prove their produce and derivatives are not produced on deforested land.
A farmers’ group urged the Indonesian authorities to explore other ways to boost productivity in palm oil production.
Mr Mansuetus Darto, head of the national council of the Indonesian Oil Palm Smallholders Association, said Mr Prabowo’s comments might undermine the government’s commitment to make Indonesia’s palm oil industry more competitive by promoting the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil scheme.
This is seen by the country’s palm oil industry as a tool to allow it to access overseas markets with stringent requirements.
The government should push for enhancing productivity at existing plantations by speeding up revitalisation instead of encouraging plantation expansion, he added.
“If the proposal is executed, it can raise productivity by 20 per cent by 2029,” he told ST, adding that the measure would reduce the risk of deforestation.Linda Yulisman is Indonesia correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers business, politics, social affairs and the environment.
Linda Yulisman
UPDATED Jan 03, 2025, 04:40 PM
JAKARTA – A call by the Indonesian President to expand oil palm plantations has drawn backlash from environmental and farmers’ groups, which warn that his comments may set back efforts to curb deforestation in the country.
In a development planning meeting on Dec 30, Mr Prabowo Subianto described oil palm as a national asset that has become a “strategic material” eyed by many foreign countries. He urged Indonesia’s local and law enforcement officials to protect these plantations.
“I think we must expand oil palm cultivation. There’s no need to fear deforestation,” he said. “Oil palm is a tree with leaves. It absorbs carbon dioxide.”
Green groups have criticised Mr Prabowo’s statement as “dangerous”, adding that it could be taken by government officials as a directive to enlarge oil palm plantations.
“The statement conveyed by Mr Prabowo as the president was dangerous because it would be interpreted by government officials as an instruction to continue land expansion (for plantations) and the clearing of natural forests, which would be devastating,” Mr Andi Muttaqien, executive director of green group Satya Bumi, told The Straits Times.
“As deforestation was not seen as a problem, this will legitimise expansion. This is dangerous.”
This could lead to a rise in social conflicts as well as disputes over land ownership, said conservation groups.
ST Asian Insider: Malaysia Edition
Get exclusive insights into Malaysia in weekly round-up
Sign upBy signing up, I accept SPH Media's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy as amended from time to time.
Yes, I would also like to receive SPH Media Group's
SPH Media Limited, its related corporations and affiliates as well as their agents and authorised service providers. marketing and promotions.
Added Mr Andi: “If the growth of the palm oil industry is left unchecked, there will be potential big losses in the long term both economically and ecologically.”
Based on research by a coalition of civil society organisations, including Satya Bumi, he added, Indonesia can accommodate only up to 18.15 million ha of oil palm plantations.
If this is exceeded, the country’s ability to support living creatures in the long term will be affected.
Palm oil is used in cooking, cosmetics and jet fuel, and as at 2024, Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of this commodity.
The archipelago already has 17.3 million ha of oil palm plantations, equal to 1.5 times the size of Java island, according to Indonesia’s Geospatial Information Agency.
Millions of hectares of the country’s forests have been cleared for agriculture in recent decades. Sumatra has lost 80 per cent of its forest cover and Kalimantan about 50 per cent.
One environmental group has voiced concern about the potential for increased conflicts.
Ms Uli Arta Siagian, Walhi forest and plantation campaign manager, told ST that for a long time, the police and military in Indonesia had tended to side with palm oil companies embroiled in conflict with the local communities, and often used intimidation and violence against them.
“The instruction (from Mr Prabowo) will legitimise the adoption of a security approach in the operation of palm oil companies by security personnel, which may increase cases where the local communities are intimidated, face violence or are criminalised,” she said.
South-east Asia’s farmers are under threat from new EU rules on palm oilIndonesia, Malaysia applaud EU’s proposal to delay anti-deforestation law by a year
Mr Prabowo’s comments came as Indonesia, a major palm oil exporter, makes preparations to comply with the EU’s Deforestation Regulation, which will kick in on Dec 30, 2025, after it was pushed back by a year.
The law requires exporters of seven agricultural commodities, including palm oil, rubber and cocoa, to prove their produce and derivatives are not produced on deforested land.
A farmers’ group urged the Indonesian authorities to explore other ways to boost productivity in palm oil production.
Mr Mansuetus Darto, head of the national council of the Indonesian Oil Palm Smallholders Association, said Mr Prabowo’s comments might undermine the government’s commitment to make Indonesia’s palm oil industry more competitive by promoting the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil scheme.
This is seen by the country’s palm oil industry as a tool to allow it to access overseas markets with stringent requirements.
The government should push for enhancing productivity at existing plantations by speeding up revitalisation instead of encouraging plantation expansion, he added.
“If the proposal is executed, it can raise productivity by 20 per cent by 2029,” he told ST, adding that the measure would reduce the risk of deforestation.Linda Yulisman is Indonesia correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers business, politics, social affairs and the environment.
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