Lawmaker Demands Firm Action on Illegal Deforestation from Forestry Ministry

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IV lawmaker Jaelani has urged the Ministry of Forestry to strengthen law enforcement against perpetrators of illegal deforestation, warning that Indonesia faces an emergency situation over the rate of forest destruction.

He stressed the importance of increasing integrated patrols and optimizing satellite-based forest monitoring technology. “The Ministry of Forestry should strengthen law enforcement by increasing integrated patrols and utilizing satellite technology. Furthermore, there must be firm action against corporations that violate concession permits,” Jaelani said in a press statement in Jakarta on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Jaelani called on the ministry to close loopholes that allow individuals or companies to continue illegal deforestation, noting that many exploit the lack of synchronization among cross-sectoral policies. “The major disaster in northern Sumatra is a concrete example of how dangerous deforestation is for the environment. Thousands of people have been displaced and lost their livelihoods,” he said.

He added that recent natural disasters in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh serve as an important warning to protect Indonesia’s forests. “This incident should be a turning point. The government must no longer compromise with forest destroyers,” Jaelani said.

Earlier, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni proposed increasing the number of forest rangers (Polhut) to strengthen security in Indonesia’s forests. He argued that the current number of rangers is insufficient compared to the vast forest areas that must be monitored.

Indonesia currently has around 4,800 forest rangers. The minister suggested an ideal ratio of one ranger for every 5,000 hectares, meaning the country needs about 25,000 personnel nationwide. This would require adding roughly 21,000 new rangers.

He emphasized that additional personnel are crucial to improve oversight and prevent illegal logging, taking into account the size of forest areas, their vulnerability, and population pressures surrounding them. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)