WALHI: Large Companies Control 60 Percent of Land in Central Kalimantan

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Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) personnel carry out the cooling process on a peatland that was on fire in the area of Jl. Dangau Rangas, Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Tuesday, October 6, 2020. ANTARA/Makna Zaezar

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (WALHI), or the The Indonesian Environmental Forum, noted that approximately 9.1 million hectares out of a total of 15.4 million hectares of land in Central Kalimantan is controlled by large-scale corporations. "Around 9 million hectares are controlled by large-scale concessions or investments, leading to a diminishing area for community-managed territories," said Janang Firman Palanungkai from the Advocacy, Campaign, and Study Department of WALHI Central Kalimantan, in a media discussion in South Jakarta on Friday, May 23, 2025.

This finding is based on WALHI's study and monitoring in 2023. Janang detailed that out of the total, approximately 2.9 million hectares are used for plantations, 1 million hectares for mining, and the forestry sector controls the largest area, approximately 5.1 million hectares. Due to the control of large-scale land, WALHI recorded approximately 349 cases of social conflicts, especially related to land disputes and demands for plasma plantations.

WALHI also reported 12 companies to the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, for alleged environmental violations that impact the socio-economic conditions of the community. These companies operate in the industrial forest plantation (HTI) sector, oil palm plantations, and mining.

From the oil palm sector, five companies reported have even obtained the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certificates, namely PT Globalindo Agung Lestari, PT Mulia Agro Permai, PT. Maju Aneka Sawit, PT. Gawi Bahandep Sawit Mekar, and PT. Gawi Bahandep Sawit Mekar. Meanwhile, WALHI also reported five HTI companies, namely PT Industrial Forest Plantation, PT Kalteng Green Resources, PT Baratama Putra Perkasa, PT Siemon Agro, and PT Borneo Ikhsan Sejahtera. The remaining two are coal mining companies, namely PT Tibawan Energi Indonesia and PT Multi Perkasa Lestari.

One company, PT Globalindo Agung Lestari, is suspected of operating before obtaining the right to land use (HGU) and a mining business license (IUP). "Based on our field findings, they have not yet obtained an IUP but have been active," said Janang.

In Kapuas Regency, the location of the company's concession, residents stated that they have not benefited at all from the presence of the company. "It is difficult to find employment, the land is damaged, many people are criminalized, and land conflicts continue to occur," he added.

Another company, PT Maju Aneka Sawit, is suspected of evicting the area of indigenous community burial grounds to open oil palm plantations. "According to residents' information, that area used to be a cemetery," said Janang.

This company has also not realized the plasma plantation since it started operating in 2006. According to Janang, the company claimed not to have an obligation to provide plasma. "But in our opinion, corporate responsibility should still be carried out," he said.

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