Absolution of Sin for the Forest Demolishers

In addition, 91.64 percent of the concession holders in the forest areas allegedly did not restore the ecosystem they destroyed. Meanwhile, the groups of companies identified as being linked to the illegal oil palm plantation are the big players in the country's palm oil industry, Wahyu said. Even some of the companies have received RSPO and ISPO certifications.

In 2019, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) found that more than 83 percent of ISPO members failed to meet their certification obligations. This, Wahyu said, shows that many companies were denying their commitment to preserving the environment.

He also questioned the government's claim that pardoning oil palm land in the forest area would increase government revenue. According to Wahyu, this claim has never been proven. Wahyu cited TUK Indonesia's research in Central Kalimantan, which showed that even from the legal palm oil sector, tax revenue was still far from its potential.

Of the potential revenue of more than Rp6.4 trillion, only Rp2.3 trillion has been realized. "So the claim of increasing revenue through the legalization agenda of oil palm plantation in forest areas is no longer relevant," Wahyu said.

Greenpeace Indonesia campaigner Syahrul Fitra said land clearing for oil palm plantations has been the main cause of deforestation in Indonesia for the past two decades. Some 600 large companies own oil palm plantations in forest areas across Indonesia, causing huge environmental damage.

Illegal oil palm land chart according to Greenpeace

Instead of restoring the image of Indonesia's palm oil industry in the eyes of the international community, pardoning illegal oil palm plantations shows the government's lack of commitment to eradicating environmental crime. Through the pardoning program, palm oil companies that damage the forest can escape responsibility and legal traps. "This policy is certainly not on the side of the environment and the affected indigenous communities. It only benefits the palm oil oligarchs in power circles," said Syahrul.

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