InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA — A new investigative report titled “A Family Affair”, released by Kaoem Telapak and the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), alleges systematic legal, environmental, and human rights violations by companies linked to the Fangiono family, one of Indonesia’s most influential agribusiness dynasties.
The report accuses major corporate groups — where key roles such as ultimate owners, beneficiaries, and directors are held by Fangiono family members — including First Resources, FAP Agri, and Ciliandry Anky Abadi (CAA), of large-scale deforestation, prolonged conflicts with Indigenous and local communities, and operating without complete permits.
Findings include the alleged clearing of more than 6,000 hectares of forest by a CAA affiliate in Papua since 2022. The report also highlights indications of plasma scheme manipulation and failures in corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments, triggering mass protests and farmer complaints over unfair profit-sharing.
It further alleges that some companies operated without valid land-use permits (HGU) or forest release licenses, with activities continuing even after official stop-work orders were issued. The report questions the credibility of Indonesia’s ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) certification after it was awarded to companies accused of serious violations.
Long-standing disputes with Indigenous groups — including the Dayak Agabag in Kalimantan and the Moi in Papua — reportedly involved intimidation, criminalization, and destruction of community food crops.
Olvy Tumbelaka, Senior Campaigner at Kaoem Telapak, said the findings highlight a grim irony: “Indonesia’s forests continue to be sacrificed for the interests of a few business elites.” He pointed to legal loopholes, weak enforcement, and conflicts of interest that allow large-scale operations to proceed unchecked, warning that such practices could breach the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
“This is not just about environmental destruction, but also about the right to life and dignity of communities living in the affected areas,” Olvy stressed. (T2)
