Farmer Criminalized After Plantation Destroyed
Poco Leok Residents Face Police Violence Again
NTT, October 2024 — The government and state electricity firm PLN are pressing ahead with plans to expand the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) into Poco Leok. This time, a joint security force—comprising the military (TNI), police, and municipal officers—was deployed to secure the project site. Excessive use of force led to the intimidation, assault, and arrest of residents opposing the project. At least three locals and one journalist were detained and taken to the local police station.
Anumbu Farmers Sued for Protesting Land Grab by Industrial Park
Central Sulawesi, August 2024 — Five residents of Anumbu Village, Bungku Barat subdistrict, Morowali Regency, are facing legal intimidation after protesting the seizure of an agricultural access road by PT Indonesia Huabao Industrial Park (IHIP) on June 15. In addition to a civil lawsuit worth IDR 14 billion, they are also under police investigation for alleged violations of the Road Law. The protest was triggered by fears over environmental impacts and loss of access to farmland. Those named in the case include Rahman Landanu, Safaat, Imran S. Lasandra, Suriyon Hamid, and Hamdan
Meratus Environmental Defender Stabbed to Death
South Kalimantan, July 2024 — Arbaini, also known as Abah Nateh, was found dead with 11 stab wounds. A prominent environmental activist, he had been vocal against PT Mantimin Coal Mining’s operations in the Meratus Mountains since 2017. He frequently faced threats and intimidation. Police say he was fatally stabbed by a man identified as Irwansyah alias Kai Ibus on July 24 at 8 a.m., allegedly out of personal resentment.
Indigenous Sihaporas Members Abducted in Pre-Dawn Raid
North Sumatra, July 2024 — Tomson Ambarita and six others were abducted at around 3 a.m. by unidentified individuals who handcuffed and forced them into a truck believed to belong to PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL). The victims, all members of the Lamtoras Sihaporas Indigenous Community, have long resisted land-grabbing by TPL. Their resistance has been met with intimidation, threats, and criminalization.
Pakel Farmer Forcibly Detained Amid Ongoing Land Dispute
East Java, June 2024 — Muhriyono, a resident of Krajan Hamlet in Pakel Village, Banyuwangi, was forcibly taken by unidentified individuals on June 9. His whereabouts were unknown until the next day when he was found at the local police station. He was charged with assaulting a security guard from PT Bumi Sari Maju Sukses, although locals claim it was the company that initiated the threats and land seizure.
Gustina Salim Rambe Jailed After Protest Against Palm Oil Company
North Sumatra, May 2024 — Gustina Salim Rambe and five others were arrested by Labuhanbatu police for blocking trucks belonging to PT Pulo Padang Sawit Permai (PPSP). While five were released, Gustina—commonly known as Tina—was detained and later convicted of assaulting a police officer. She was sentenced to five months and 21 days in prison.
Environmental Expert Sued for Testifying in Court
Bogor, January 10, 2024 — Prof. Dr. Bambang Hero Saharjo, a forestry fire expert, was sued by PT Jatim Jaya Perkasa after testifying as an expert witness for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The lawsuit, viewed as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), was seen as an attempt to silence scientific testimony. The company later withdrew the lawsuit on January 17.
Mangrove Defenders Detained, Langkat Police Accused of Criminalization
North Sumatra, April 2024 — Ilham Mahmudi, Syafii, and Taupik were arrested without a warrant after dismantling an illegal structure in a protected mangrove area in Kwala Langkap Village. Their actions were part of a protest against illegal oil palm expansion, but police charged them with property damage.
Indigenous Leader Arrested Without Warrant
North Sumatra, March 2024 — Sorbatua Siallagan, the customary leader of Dolok Parmonangan, was arrested without a warrant while shopping for fertilizer with his wife. He was detained on suspicion of illegal forest occupation, amid an ongoing land dispute with PT Toba Pulp Lestari.
Pakel Farmers Attacked by Corporate Hired Hands
East Java, March 2024 — Thirty farmers in Pakel Village were beaten by hired thugs allegedly working for PT Bumi Sari Maju Sukses. The attackers had earlier damaged farmers' huts and crops. Despite previous reports of intimidation and threats, no police action had been taken prior to this violence.
Farmers Arrested for Opposing IKN Airport Project
East Kalimantan, February 2024 — Nine farmers from Saloloang were arrested for allegedly obstructing construction equipment and carrying machetes while protesting the planned IKN airport. The arrests mark the first detentions linked to resistance against the national strategic project in the new capital area. The farmers were defending their land from expropriation.
Police repress Rempang islanders for defending customary land
Riau Archipelago, Sept 2023— Police have arrested 43 people from Galang and Rempang, 34 of whom have been made suspects following villagers’ refusal to accept their ancestral land being used for the Rempang Eco City National Strategic Project. The arrests were made as villagers tried to stop military and police personnel forcing their way onto the site to secure Eco City boundary marker installation.
3 Ketapang residents criminalized for protecting customary forest
West Kalimantan, Aug 2023—On discovering pulpwood company PT Mayawana Persada clearing their sacred forest, customary community members from Simpang Hulu, Ketapang Regency seized ignition keys from company bulldozers carrying out operations and handed them to the local police. West Kalimantan police responded by charging 3 community figures on suspicion of destroying seedlings belonging to Mayawana.
Air Bangis villagers repressed for demonstrating PSN forest use
West Sumatra, August 2023—Residents of Air Bangis Village in West Pasaman Regency rejected infrastructure development for a National Strategic Project or Proyek Strategis Nasional (PSN) in their management region. Around 1,500 villagers demonstrated, but while taking time out to pray, scores of villagers were suppressed and arrested by the police.
Three environmental defenders from Wadas summonsed by police
Purworejo, 26-7-2021-- Purworejo District Police summonsed three environmental defenders from Wadas on 26 July 2021. The three villagers were called to provide statements relating to allegations of threatening behaviour with sharp weapons in a plantation in Wadas village, Bener subdistrict, Purworejo district on 14 July 2021.
Three villagers convicted for rejecting mine in Banyuwangi
Banyuwangi, 27 May 2021—Three residents of Alasbuluh village, Wingsero subdistrict, Banyuwangi were sentenced to 3 months imprisonment by the Banyuwangi District Court for obstructing the PT Rolas Nusa Tambang. Together with hundreds of villagers, they oppose the mining company’s environmental destruction in their village.
Indigenous Natumingka hurt defending customary forest
Toba, 18 May 2021—More than a dozen members of the indigenous Natumingka customary community in Toba district, North Sumatra suffered injuries in clashes with workers from PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL). Fighting broke out over the company forcedly planting eucalypts in an area the community maintains as customary land.
Police arrest 3 Dayak figures for rejecting oil palm