Antoni told lawmakers during a parliamentary hearing that the government will take swift action against the firms, some of which operate in the Batang Toru region, after early findings showed signs of legal violations.
He said the ministry’s law enforcement unit is still finalizing the list of entities linked to the flash floods and landslides that struck Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.
Under President Prabowo Subianto’s directive, the ministry plans to revoke about 20 forest-use permits covering roughly 750 hectares, Antoni said.
The ministry previously revoked 18 permits spanning about 526,144 hectares.
The names of the companies and the size of their concessions will be disclosed once President Prabowo signs off on the revocations, he added.
Related news: Indonesia investigates illegal logging links in Sumatra Flood debris
Antoni said the ministry is also working with national police to trace the source of logs swept downstream during the floods.
“If we find any criminal violations, we will pursue firm legal action,” he said.
The minister said his office has used drones to inspect the river routes taken by the logs.
Officials also deployed the Automatic Log Identification Tool (AIKO) to examine the wood’s physical characteristics and identify possible signs of human interference.
Antoni said the investigation aims to provide the public with accurate, transparent information about the causes of the disasters.
Related news: Govt forms task force to trace flood-swept timber origin in Sumatra
Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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