PUBLICATIONS

Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 8 of 2018 concerning the moratorium and evaluation of oil palm plantation permits was officially issued on September 19, 2018, after a delay of more than two years. This policy is quasi-legal, binding eight state officials, and is valid for three years until September 19, 2021. The Inpres aims to protect vulnerable natural forests by halting the expansion of oil palm plantations in forest areas, instructing the evaluation of problematic permits, and addressing data issues and the rights of smallholders.

The implementation of Inpres No. 8/2018 faces challenges such as the lack of mandated internal or external monitoring mechanisms and potential political distractions ahead of the 2019 Election. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) welcomed the long-awaited policy but stressed the importance of permit evaluation followed by law enforcement, increased permit transparency, and public participation in its execution. Effective implementation requires strong political leadership from the President and the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, information disclosure mechanisms, and space for participation and collaboration among the government, CSOs, and other stakeholders.