Prabowo Reports Crackdown on 3.1 Million Hectares of Illegal Palm Plantations; Illegal Mining Next

Jakarta — President Prabowo Subianto on Friday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to bringing order to the management of Indonesia’s natural resources, targeting violations from illegal palm oil plantations to unauthorized mining operations.

In his State of the Nation Address at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta, Prabowo detailed the government’s progress in reclaiming palm plantations operating in violation of regulations.

“As of today, I report to this assembly that the government has taken back 3.1 million hectares out of a potential 5 million hectares of palm plantations reported to be in violation of the law — though we have yet to verify the remainder,” Prabowo said. “Of the 3.7 million hectares we have verified to be in clear violation, 3.1 million hectares have already been reclaimed.”

Prabowo noted that some of these cases involved court rulings issued 18 years ago, ordering the seizure of certain plantations — rulings that, he said, law enforcement in the past had failed to enforce.

“I don’t know why,” he said, “but I have ordered these lands to be taken back by the state. We have deployed Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) units to escort the teams reclaiming the plantations, because resistance often occurs. If anyone dares to defy the government of the Republic of Indonesia, we will face them head-on.”

Following the palm oil crackdown, Prabowo said, the government will move to shut down illegal mining operations. “I have received reports from our agencies that there are 1,063 illegal mines, and the potential losses to the state from these mines are estimated at no less than 300 trillion rupiah,” he stated.

He called for full support from the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and political parties in pursuing the crackdown.

“I warn you — whether you are powerful individuals, influential figures, generals from anywhere — be they TNI generals, police generals, or retired generals — it makes no difference. We will act in the name of the people,” he declared.

Prabowo also cautioned that even members of his own party would not be shielded if found guilty. “Even if you are from Gerindra, I will not protect you,” he said.

To avoid conflicts of interest, Prabowo instructed the TNI Commander and the National Police Chief to deploy forces from outside the targeted provinces during operations.

“If you’re going into a province, bring troops from a different province — because for all we know, some of your subordinates may be involved in those plantations,” he warned.

At the same time, Prabowo stressed that small-scale miners who genuinely depend on mining for their livelihood would be legalized through cooperatives.

“If it’s the people mining for their livelihood, then we will set up cooperatives, legalize them, and regulate them,” he said. “But don’t use the people as an excuse when in reality hundreds of trillions are being smuggled.”