InfoSAWIT, PEKANBARU — In a surprising yet commendable move, Riau-based palm oil entrepreneur Manaek Siahaan voluntarily surrendered 500 hectares of his palm oil plantation to the state. This donation supports the efforts of the Forest Area Control Task Force (Satgas PKH), which is actively regulating illegal palm oil plantations, including those within the Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN).
This initiative garnered significant attention after Satgas PKH invited palm oil landowners within forest areas to attend a meeting held on Thursday evening (July 15, 2025) at the Grand Central Hotel, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Pekanbaru. Among those present was Manaek Siahaan, accompanied by Riau Provincial Legislative Council member Suyadi SP from the PDI Perjuangan faction.
During the meeting, Satgas PKH, comprising representatives from the Attorney General's Office, TNI, Polri, the Financial Audit Agency, PPATK, and various inter-agency officials, stated that they had previously cataloged palm oil landowners within state forest areas. However, due to Manaek Siahaan's cooperative stance and voluntary land donation, he was deemed deserving of state recognition.
Larshen Yunus, Chairman of the DPD KNPI Riau Province and spokesperson for Manaek Siahaan, emphasized that this land donation was not due to pressure or an official summons from Satgas, but rather a conscious decision as a law-abiding citizen.
“Our presence at the Satgas PKH post was purely out of self-awareness. I also visited Mr. Manaek's residence in Lobusiregar I, Siborong-borong, Taput, to convey that this is a call from the state. He welcomed it wholeheartedly,” Larshen Yunus stated in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT on Thursday (July 17, 2025).
Today, Larshen noted, the Satgas PKH team, along with Manaek Siahaan, is heading to the 500-hectare plantation site in Bukit Kesuma, Pangkalan Kuras District, Pelalawan Regency. The main agenda is to reassess land boundaries, markers, and coordinates of the plantation, which will soon be restored as forest area with reforestation efforts.
“While Mr. Manaek is on-site, our administrative team is preparing all necessary documents. Our principle is clear: compliance with the state's directives, in this case, President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka,” Larshen asserted.
This large-scale land return initiative is considered one of the most significant in the history of the Satgas PKH operations in Riau. Observations indicate that the surrendered land was previously scrubland and did not involve any deforestation activities. According to submitted documents, the land was acquired through a customary grant from the Petalangan Batin Hitam Sungai Medang on July 10, 2009.
“No trees were cut down. The land was vacant and legally planted with palm oil according to customary practices. Now, it is highly productive, yet Mr. Manaek surrendered it voluntarily. This reflects his commitment to environmental sustainability and legal compliance,” Larshen Yunus explained.
Despite the stringent nature of Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 5 of 2025 regarding Forest Area Control, he affirmed their full support for government actions in the national interest.
“This nation has sovereignty over land, water, and all resources. We fully support the Satgas PKH and are ready to share in the joys and sorrows of the people,” he stated.
This land donation is seen as a new chapter in law enforcement within the forestry and plantation sectors. It serves not only as a legal measure but also as a model for the business world to collaborate with the state for a better environmental future.
In closing, Larshen Yunus reiterated that the DPD KNPI Riau Province remains committed to advocating for the people and fully supports central government programs in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty over natural resources. (T2)
