Jakarta — The Directorate General of Environmental Law Enforcement (Gakkum) of the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) has forcibly halted the activities of five mining companies found to have exacerbated the risk of flooding due to environmental damage in upstream areas.
This law enforcement action was taken after the KLH/BPLH monitoring team found a direct link between mining operations in high elevation areas and increased sedimentation in the Batang Kuranji River. Mud and soil eroded from the mining area were carried by rainwater and deposited in the river, reducing its capacity and triggering flooding during heavy rainfall.
The five companies that were forcibly sealed were PT Parambahan Jaya Abadi, PT Dian Darell Perdana, CV Lita Bakti Utama, CV Jumaidi, and PT Solid Berkah Ilahi. All of them were known to operate in vulnerable areas with inadequate environmental management.
Field inspections revealed serious violations, ranging from the absence of drainage and erosion control systems, land clearing without environmental approval, to mining activities that were too close to residential areas. In several locations, the distance between the mine and residents’ homes was less than 500 metres, with no adequate mitigation measures in place. This accelerated the flow of mud and run-off into rivers, exacerbating siltation and increasing the potential for flooding.
The Minister of Environment/Head of BPLH, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, emphasised that the sealing was not merely an administrative response, but a form of state protection for public safety. He said that compliance with environmental regulations was not only a legal obligation, but also a moral responsibility, the consequences of which must be borne when violated.
Hanif ensured that the clarification and enforcement processes would be conducted transparently and based on scientific evidence, including the involvement of independent experts. According to him, the evaluation results will form the basis for determining further sanctions, ranging from environmental restoration obligations to licence revocation if the violations are proven to be severe and repeated. “We will take the necessary legal steps to ensure environmental restoration and prevent similar incidents from recurring. Environmental protection and public safety must be the top priority in every business activity,” he said.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH/BPLH) also emphasised that supervision in upstream areas will be tightened, particularly on mining activities that have the potential to cause cross-regional impacts. According to Hanif, the crackdown in West Sumatra serves as a stern warning to all corporations not to sacrifice the environment for profit. “This is a clear message to the business world: the environment is not something that can be sacrificed for profit,” he said.
Amidst the increasing frequency of hydrometeorological disasters, the government is encouraging the public to play an active role in protecting the environment by reporting suspicious business activities that have the potential to damage the ecosystem. Public participation is considered important for effective environmental law enforcement and to ensure that a safe and healthy environment is preserved for future generations. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: The Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) seals off five mining companies in high elevation areas for causing flooding. 20 December 2025. Source: Ministry of Environment.
