KBRN, Bandung: The West Java Provincial Administration has officially banned new palm oil cultivation across all 27 cities and regencies in the province. The prohibition was issued under Circular No. 187/PM.05.02.01/PEREK, signed by Governor Dedi Mulyadi on December 29, 2025.

Governor Mulyadi announced the policy as part of efforts to safeguard environmental sustainability and protect natural resources. “The policy prohibits new palm oil planting across West Java, whether on land owned by communities, businesses, or other parties,” he said.

The ban has drawn sharp criticism from the Indonesian Palm Oil Farmers Association (APKASINDO), which called the regulation discriminatory and dismissive of plantations that have operated in West Java for decades.

Qayuum Amri, APKASINDO’s Deputy Chairman for Communications, said the policy appeared reactionary and was accompanied by claims that palm oil caused clean water crises and ecological disasters in the province.

“Palm oil is a blessing from God for Indonesia. Not every country, including the United States and the European Union, can grow palm oil. Indonesia should be grateful and manage palm oil better, not impose prohibitions like the governor’s policy,” he said in a statement to reporters on Thursday, January 1, 2026.

Qayuum argued the policy should undergo a deeper study involving universities and research institutions. He noted that palm oil has been cultivated in West Java for decades, particularly in Subang, Garut, Pangandaran, and Tasikmalaya, and that there is no evidence linking it to flooding or water shortages.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s 2025 Plantation Statistics, palm oil plantations in West Java cover 15,764 hectares and produce 43,493 tons of crude palm oil (CPO). Of that area, state-owned enterprises manage 11,254 hectares, and private companies own 4,259 hectares. Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) shows the sector employs 8,170 workers in the province.

“If this ban is enforced, the livelihoods of thousands of workers will be at risk. Will the governor take responsibility?” Qayuum said.

He added that palm oil contributes to all three pillars of sustainability, economic, social, and environmental, and should not be dismissed outright. APKASINDO urged the governor to reconsider the circular and open dialogue with farmers and workers, stressing that tens of thousands of people depend on palm oil plantations in West Java. (Annaila Azzahra/Lasti Martina)