InfoSAWIT, MEDAN – The lush green expanse of the tea plantations in Sidamanik, Simalungun Regency, has been an icon of North Sumatra for decades. This refreshing landscape not only attracts tourists but also holds a long history of plantations dating back to the Dutch colonial era. However, amidst the familiar aroma of tea, Sidamanik now stands at a major crossroads: a plan to convert a portion of its tea plantations into palm oil estates.
The plan comes from PTPN IV, the company that manages the Bah Butong plantation and its surrounding areas. The company's justification is that tea productivity continues to decline, maintenance costs are rising, while the palm oil market promises greater profits. Optimizing idle land is cited as a strategy to meet industrial challenges.
However, a different interpretation has emerged behind this official language. A local legislator believes the phrase "tea plantation conversion" has been rebranded as "utilizing vacant land" to quell public resistance.
"The language has been softened. But the ultimate direction is still toward palm oil," he said.
Such sanitized terminology is nothing new in public discourse. A fundamental question arises: is the so-called "vacant land" truly unused, or is it a part of the tea plantation deemed unproductive?
Public Rejection Mounts
A wave of rejection was immediately heard. Several indigenous groups and community organizations in Simalungun have firmly rejected the plan, with some even reporting the issue directly to the President, as reported by Waspada in July 2025.
"Sidamanik tea is not just a crop; it is a historical legacy and a cultural identity of our community," stated a local adat leader during a protest.
National media attention has also grown. Kompas TV believes PTPN IV's move could transform Sidamanik from an exotic green area into a palm oil monoculture plantation. Tribun Medan has noted residents' fears about the loss of livelihoods in the tourism and agritourism sectors.
PTPN IV has stated that the conversion would only take place on land considered unproductive, while reaffirming its commitment to preserving Sidamanik's historical value. "We are open to public input," read an official statement quoted by Kompaspos (2022).
Still, the debate is not new. A similar issue arose a few years ago but was met with strong opposition. This fact highlights the ongoing conflict of interest between corporations, the government, and the community, a middle ground for which has yet to be found.
The Strategic Value of Sidamanik
Sidamanik is about more than just a profit-and-loss statement. The area holds strategic value as a tourist destination and a pillar of the local economy. From small vendors and tour guides to homestay owners, people's livelihoods depend on the tea plantations. If tea is replaced by palm oil, it's not just the landscape that will change, but the entire social and economic ecosystem around it.
"Sidamanik tea has become part of the collective imagination of North Sumatran society. Erasing it is like erasing social memory," said an academic from the University of North Sumatra.
The Sidamanik conflict illustrates the tension between corporate logic and the socio-cultural needs of the community. On one hand, the state-owned enterprise is required to be profitable and competitive in the global market. On the other, the public hopes the state will not sacrifice local identity and sustainability for the sake of profit alone.
The ball is now in the court of the policymakers. Will Sidamanik continue to be remembered as a legendary tea expanse, or will it slowly transform into a palm oil plantation?
History is writing its test. And Sidamanik, with all its heritage, is right at that crossroads. (*)
By Erni Tanjung
Disclaimer: This article is the author's personal opinion and is the sole responsibility of the author, with no relation to InfoSAWIT.
