Minister Bahlil Lahadalia Revokes 15 Forestry Concession Permits

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia confirmed that 15 concession permits for forestry were revoked based on verification and recommendations of the Environment and Forestry Ministry (LHK).

“This is clear proof that the government is not joking to immediately revoke the forestry licenses of companies that do not comply with their designation and do not carry out their obligations,” said Bahlil on Wednesday, March 30.

Bahlil, who is also the head of the task force for land use and investment management, added that three companies had forest area release rights (PKH) with a total area of 84,521.72 hectares. Meanwhile, the other 12 companies had forest concession business licenses (PBPH) with a total area of 397,677 hectares.

According to him, the revocation step was a follow-up to the task force’s report which was submitted to President Jokowi on March 17, 2022.

Bahlil explained that there were 192 companies whose licenses would be revoked, yet 83 of them applied for clarification. “As long as the revocation letter has not been issued, the company still has the right according to the concession granted,” he said.

If the company does not take advantage of this opportunity, the government will revoke the permit in accordance with applicable regulations. Bahlil further said that as of March 5, 2022, the ministry had signed 414 letters of revocation of mining concession permits (IUP), consisting of 283 mineral IUP and 131 coal IUP.

Read: Jokowi Taps Bahlil Lahadalia as Ad Interim ESDM Minister

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA