Indonesia revokes Mentawai forest permits and arrests illegal loggers in Riau

Environmental NGOs Walhi Sumatra Barat and the Yayasan Citra Mandiri Mentawai urged the Indonesian government to use the revocation of three forest‑utilisation permits in the Mentawai Islands as a starting point for broader forest‑governance reform. The permits, covering about 78,000 ha (PT Minas Pagai Lumber), 47,605 ha (PT Salaki Summa Sejahtera) and 19,875 ha (PT Biomass Andalan Energi), were cancelled amid accusations of illegal logging, inadequate reforestation and threats to indigenous communities. The groups called for rapid recognition of indigenous land rights, restoration of degraded areas and protection of water catchments.

In a separate operation in Riau, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, together with the Riau Forestry Service, seized three suspects involved in illegal logging inside the Kerumutan Wildlife Sanctuary, a critical habitat for the endangered Sumatran tiger. Authorities confiscated trucks loaded with processed timber and a modified bicycle used for transport, highlighting ongoing enforcement challenges and the risk to the tiger population.