InfoSAWIT, BANDUNG – The West Java Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD Jabar) has raised concerns over the potential spread of oil palm plantations covering an estimated 4,000 hectares across several regions, including Cirebon, Kuningan, and Ciamis, urging early intervention to prevent environmental damage.

Deputy of the West Java DPRD, Ono Surono, welcomed the swift suspension of newly detected oil palm planting on 2.5 hectares of land, calling it a crucial preventive step to stop large-scale expansion that could alter West Java’s environmental character.

“As long as large-scale planting has not yet occurred, we want to ensure a shared commitment to keep West Java focused on environmentally friendly commodities,” Ono said in Bandung, as quoted by InfoSAWIT from Antara on Thursday (January 8, 2026).

During a recent field inspection in Cirebon, Ono discovered early-stage planting of around 400 oil palm trees, approximately five months old, on the 2.5-hectare plot. The planting was carried out under a partnership scheme in which all planting and maintenance costs were borne by a corporate partner.

Following dialogue with relevant stakeholders, both the company and farmers agreed to comply with the West Java Governor’s Circular banning oil palm cultivation and committed to replacing the crop with more suitable alternatives.

Farmers have agreed to switch to crops better adapted to West Java’s environmental conditions, such as mangoes and other horticultural commodities. The Cirebon regency administration has pledged to support the transition by providing replacement seedlings, while provincial and local authorities will oversee the process to ensure compliance without compromising farmers’ livelihoods.

Previously, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi issued a total ban on new oil palm planting in the province through Circular Letter No. 187/PM.05.02.01/PEREK, signed on December 29, 2025. The policy also mandates gradual crop conversion for existing oil palm areas. (T2)