Minister Of Environment Revokes Permits For 9 Businesses In Puncak, Buildings Must Be Dismantled Before The End Of August

Minister Of Environment/Head Of The Environmental Control Agency Hanif Faisol Nurrofiq

JAKARTA - The Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Hanif Faisol Nurrofiq, revoked a number of environmental approvals in the Puncak area, Bogor Regency, West Java.

This decision was taken following the discrepancy of a number of business units with the provisions of the use of space and environmental protection, as well as non-compliance with the demolition order previously issued by the government.

"There are 33 business units on the operational cooperation (KSO) land of PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN). Of that number, 9 of them once had environmental permits, but we withdrew because the Bogor Regency Government did not follow up as we ordered," said Hanif while reviewing the demolition location in the Cisarua area, Antara, Sunday, July 27.

In addition to revocation of the permit, Hanif emphasized that all business units on the PTPN KSO land are required to dismantle the building independently before the end of August 2025. If they are not obeyed, the government will take over the demolition process by force and take legal action.

"Sanctions will be imposed in accordance with Article 114 of Law Number 32 of 2009, with a penalty of one year in prison. This applies to anyone who violates it," he said.

A number of business actors, according to Hanif, have started to comply with these rules. One of them is CV Mega Karya, which has demolished eight gazebos and one restaurant.

Namun bagi usaha yang masih bertahan, Hanif menyebut pihaknya akan kembali turun ke lapangan pekan depan. Kalau masih ada yang belum membongkar, kami yang akan bantu membongkar semua proses hukum akan berjalan, tegasnya.

Hanif emphasized that the demolition process would be followed by restoration and replanting to restore the ecological function of the region.

After controlling 33 business units are completed, the Ministry of Environment will also target around 400 hectares of other land in the Puncak area which is used illegally and not through a cooperation scheme with PTPN.

"We will carry out field verification of hundreds of hectares of controlled land without rights. All those who stand on PTPN land and do not comply with the rules will be ordered," he said.

The government assesses that illegal buildings in the Puncak area have exacerbated the carrying capacity of the environment, especially in the upstream area of the Ciliwung Watershed (DAS).

"The impact was felt directly to Bogor, Depok, and Jakarta in the form of annual floods that often claimed lives," said Hanif.

Hanif also appealed to the public and capital owners to stop the construction of new villas or business premises in the Puncak area, especially in Cisarua District.

"We ask anyone who is building a villa in this area to immediately stop this activity. The best investment today is planting trees and protecting the environment," he concluded.