Indonesian Attorney General's Office Investigates Corporate Role in Sumatra Floods

Comprehensive Investigation Uncovers Multiple Entities

The Indonesian Attorney General's Office, through the Forest Area Reclamation Task Force (Satgas PKH), has conducted a thorough investigation into the recent flash floods and landslides in Sumatra. The probe has identified 27 entities - comprising both corporations and individuals - that are allegedly linked to the disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra ¹

Land Use Changes Under Scrutiny

Attorney General ST Burhanuddin revealed that the investigation found evidence of massive land use changes in the upstream areas of watersheds, which potentially contributed to the severity of the flooding. This suggests that the disasters were not solely natural events but were possibly exacerbated by human activities, particularly those related to environmental degradation ²

Legal Implications and Next Steps

The identification of these entities marks a significant step in potentially holding accountable those responsible for the environmental damage that may have contributed to the disasters. The Attorney General's Office is expected to take further legal actions against the implicated parties.