InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The commitment of major palm oil companies to implement sustainability principles through mandatory (ISPO) and voluntary (RSPO) certification is once again under scrutiny. An investigation by Sawit Watch revealed that several large palm oil groups with sustainability certifications have been identified as illegally managing plantations in forest areas.
A recap by Sawit Watch from 15 Ministerial Decrees from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (LHK) shows that in Riau Province, there are 11 large RSPO member groups with a total plantation area of 59,817.70 hectares. Meanwhile, in Central Kalimantan, there are 10 large palm oil groups with a plantation area of 134,319.63 hectares.
In response to these findings, Sawit Watch Executive Director Surambo emphasized the importance of decisive action from RSPO against members proven to engage in illegal activities. “RSPO should suspend membership and revoke the sustainability certification of companies that clear forest areas without permission. Meanwhile, the government needs to conduct a thorough audit of ISPO-certified companies,” Surambo stated in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT.
Ahmad Zazali, Chairman of the Center for Law and Conflict Resolution (PURAKA), also praised Minister Raja Juliantoni's move to publish a list of palm oil companies with rejected resolutions. However, he pointed out the lack of clarity regarding the resolution scheme to be applied. “Will the rejected plantations fall under the resolution scheme of Article 110B of the Job Creation Law (UUCK) or will they be returned to forest areas as regulated in Presidential Regulation 5/2025? What will happen to the management of these plantations?” Zazali questioned.
Gunawan, Senior Advisor to the Indonesia Human Rights Committee for Social Justice (IHCS), added that regulatory changes in the Law on Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction through the Job Creation Law have created legal uncertainty in resolving palm oil plantation issues in forest areas.
“There is an overlap between criminalization and amnesty through administrative sanctions in the form of fines. This could worsen Indonesia's palm oil diplomacy and weaken the country's commitment to halt deforestation,” Gunawan explained.
With various emerging issues, stakeholders are urging the government and certification bodies to take a firmer stance against palm oil companies that violate regulations. Concrete and transparent actions are needed to maintain the sustainability of the palm oil industry and Indonesia's credibility in responsible environmental governance. (T2)
