Manokwari, Jubi – Two palm oil companies involved in National Strategic Projects (PSN), Genting Oil Kasuri Pte. Ltd (GOKPL) and PT Prabu Alaska, have been accused of dumping waste and clearing endemic Papuan trees in the Sumuri District of Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua province.
The allegations are contained in a joint investigation report by civil society groups and Panah Papua NGO, released following an online dissemination meeting on Tuesday (15/9/2026) titled “Dissemination of Investigation Findings on the Fate of the Endemic Papuan Tree A. labillardieri”. The meeting was attended by civil society groups, members of the West Papua People’s Assembly (MRP), the head of the West Papua Forestry Agency and officials from the law enforcement agency for environmental and forestry issues (Gakkum).
Panah Papua director Sulfianto Alias said the latest investigation in Sumuri District, Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua, had uncovered alleged waste dumping in forest areas.
He said the practice posed a serious threat to endemic Papuan tree species, particularly A. labillardieri, amid large-scale land clearing.
According to Sulfianto, an investigation conducted by Indigenous community members and Panah Papua found alleged violations of forestry laws in the development of the GOKPL National Strategic Project, including palm oil operations, oil wells and other activities, as well as in areas where companies operate around the customary forest.
Sulfianto alleged that the GOKPL project had committed serious violations by failing to comply with provisions under the Forest Area Use Permit (PPKH). The findings allegedly included waste dumping, the clearing of endemic trees and trees along river boundaries, as well as the filling in of tributaries.
He called on the Ministry of Forestry to immediately review the PPKH permits, saying there were indications of serious violations.
“This must be addressed by the government through the Ministry of Forestry, so that it is more careful in granting permits to companies operating in the area and ensures they comply with the applicable regulations,” Sulfianto Alias said.
Panah Papua staff member Arnol Halitapo, who also took part in the investigation, said the monitoring of the concession areas of GOKPL and PT Prabu Alaska indicated alleged violations of Indonesia’s Forestry Law.
“There has been widespread clearing of the endemic Papuan tree A. labillardieri. This endemic Papuan species needs to be protected, but these companies are still allegedly carrying out activities that violate the rules in the area,” Halitapo said.
He said the findings would be reported to relevant government agencies for serious and transparent action, allowing the public to monitor the companies’ activities and whether they comply with forestry laws.
“In the future, there should be no more indiscriminate clearing of forests without considering forestry regulations,” he said.
The Ministry of Forestry has also been urged to review the activities of the two companies.
Halitapo said it was important for the government to conduct a comprehensive review of all National Strategic Projects operating in the area amid allegations that they had breached applicable forestry regulations. (*)
