PUBLICATIONS

The Job Creation Law (Omnibus Law) has the potential to facilitate large-scale conversion of forests and peatlands, including by legitimizing previously illegal forest use under the concept of “administrative settlement.” This is seen as weakening Indonesia’s national climate commitments and efforts to reduce deforestation.

The law also narrows public participation and undermines community rights over natural resources and land. For example, the removal of the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) principle from environmental feasibility assessments increases the risk of expanding conflicts involving Indigenous peoples and local communities.

These regulatory changes weaken governance and public accountability in the natural resource sector. Evidence includes the exclusion of environmental observers from the Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) Commission and exemptions granted to National Strategic Projects from certain environmental and spatial planning requirements.