KBRN, Jakarta: The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Environment, has taken firm action following floods and landslides in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra.

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq conducted both aerial and ground inspections in the upstream areas of the Batang Toru and Garoga river basins to trace the causes of the disaster and assess the ecological pressures from business activities in the region.

Minister Hanif visited several companies operating in the upstream watershed, including PT Agincourt Resources, PT Perkebunan Nusantara III (PTPN III), and PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy (NSHE).

Based on field findings, the government decided to temporarily suspend all operations of these companies and require a comprehensive environmental audit.

“Starting December 6, 2025, all companies in the Batang Toru upstream watershed must cease operations. The three firms have been summoned for an official hearing in Jakarta on December 8,” Minister Hanif said on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

He stressed that the government will calculate the extent of damage, review legal aspects, and does not rule out criminal proceedings if violations are found to have worsened the disaster.

The Ministry of Environment is now tightening verification of environmental approvals and spatial compliance for all activities in steep slopes, upstream watersheds, and river flows. The government reaffirmed its commitment to making environmental law enforcement a cornerstone in preventing ecological disasters.

Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement, Rizal Irawan, noted that aerial monitoring revealed extensive land clearing for hydropower projects, mining, palm oil plantations, and industrial forest estates.

“This condition increases the risk of floods and landslides due to falling timber and erosion. Oversight will be expanded to all strategic watersheds in North Sumatra, especially amid extreme rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters per day,” Rizal said. (Misni Parjiati/Sri Wahyuni)