KLHK Wins Lawsuit For Karhutla Cases In Central Kalimantan, Companies Pay Compensation Of IDR 175.18 Billion

PHOTOS OF ILLUSTRATION/Children crossing the road with conditions surrounded by smog at the location of the forest and land fires incident on the South Ulin Runway, Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Monday (14/8/2023). BETWEEN/Tumpal Andani Aritonang

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) won a lawsuit for the 3,000 hectare forest and land fires carried out by PT Kumai Sentosa in West Waringin City Regency, Central Kalimantan (Kalteng).

"The company must pay a loss of Rp. 175.18 billion," said Director General of Environmental Law Enforcement and Forestry of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ratio Ridho Sani, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, August 18.

On July 18, 2023, the Supreme Court granted a request for a review conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry by punishing PT Kumai Sentosa to pay material compensation in cash to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry through a state treasury account of IDR 175.18 billion.

The ratio appreciates the panel of judges of the Supreme Court who have decided the PT Kumai Sentosa case by applying the principle of prudence with absolute accountability.

The company must be responsible for the peatland fire incident at the location of an oil palm plantation covering an area of 3,000 hectares which has had a broad impact on the environment and has caused public unrest.

The land fire caused smog, land damage, loss of biodiversity, and hampered the government's commitment to achieving the climate change control agenda.

"The Supreme Court's decision must provide lessons to every person in charge of the business not to burn land in the opening or processing of land by burning and not to allow land fires to occur at the activity site while still applying the precautionary principle," said Rasio.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry uses various technologies, one of which is satellites to monitor the burning forests and land. All law enforcement instruments are also used, starting from the application of administrative sanctions, civil law enforcement (resolution of environmental disputes) and enforcement of criminal law.

Director of Environmental Dispute Settlement of the Ministry of Environment, Jasmin Ragil Utomo, said the request for reconsideration granted by the Supreme Court showed the government's seriousness in taking action against land burners.

In addition to paying losses to the state, said Ragil, PT Kumai Sentosa must also restore the 3,000 hectare land that has been burned.

"The company is doing its own recovery. We appreciate the decision, because after all, it must prioritize recovery," he said.