Jakarta (ANTARA) -



Indonesia’s Environment Ministry reported handling 921 environmental cases between November 2024 and mid-September 2025, sanctioning hundreds of companies and pursuing dozens through legal channels as part of a broader crackdown on ecological violations.

Deputy for Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency, Rizal Irawan, stated during a media briefing in Jakarta on Wednesday that the cases included 356 arising from public complaints and 565 from routine monitoring and inspections.

Of the total, 845 businesses received administrative sanctions for violating environmental regulations.

Meanwhile, 39 cases were pursued through criminal proceedings. An additional 18 disputes were resolved through mediation, 33 were taken to court, 12 settled through alternative mechanisms, 16 transferred to local authorities, and 24 companies were deemed compliant.

“Of the 921 cases, some were incidental, including public complaints, while others resulted from routine monitoring,” Irawan explained.

Administrative penalties included fines, suspensions, and corrective orders. To date, 460 companies have been sanctioned, while 385 cases remain under process. The ministry has collected Rp84.7 billion ($5.2 million) in fines.

Through environmental dispute settlements, the government has secured Rp175 billion ($11.1 million) in non-tax state revenue, with an additional Rp265 billion ($16.7 million) still pending.

The ministry also placed 38 companies under supervision in connection with land and forest fire cases—a recurring environmental issue in Southeast Asia.

Irawan emphasized that all environmental violations are followed up with legal action, including criminal prosecution, sanctions, and fines aimed at supporting ecosystem recovery.

“No case is left unresolved. We don’t just seal off sites—we ensure follow-up with sanctions and legal measures to guarantee accountability,” he said.

The ministry noted that enforcement efforts combine administrative, civil, and criminal approaches to deter violations and strengthen corporate compliance with environmental laws.