PUBLICATIONS

The latest draft Presidential Instruction (22 December 2017) seeks to suspend and review palm oil plantation licenses and improve productivity, following President Jokowi’s 2016 moratorium announcement. Civil society organizations support its immediate adoption, noting that new licenses particularly in Papua and West Papua continue to be issued while the policy remains pending. The Instruction assigns responsibilities to eight government bodies, with key roles for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and a Work Team under the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.

The Instruction requires a halt to new forest releases for palm oil and a review of existing permits, while the Work Team is responsible for data verification, alignment with the One Map Policy, and recommendations on reclassification and legal actions. CSOs call for prompt enactment, a performance based timeframe rather than a fixed three year limit, and clearer provisions to ensure the Work Team’s transparency and independence.