Jakarta. The Forest Area Enforcement Task Force has vowed to take firm legal action against parties deemed responsible for catastrophic floods and landslides that have devastated parts of Sumatra, killing more than 1,000 people and injuring thousands.

The crackdown will include criminal prosecution, administrative sanctions and demands for environmental compensation, according to Febrie Adriansyah, Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes, in Jakarta on Monday.

The meeting was chaired by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in his capacity as head of the task force’s steering committee and was attended by the attorney general, the environment and forestry minister, the agrarian affairs minister, and representatives from 12 ministries and state agencies.

“The task force has identified alleged criminal acts and will determine who bears criminal responsibility for the disasters,” Febrie said. “Law enforcement will be carried out in an integrated manner.”

He said investigations would be jointly handled by the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department, the Forestry Ministry’s law enforcement directorate, the Environment Ministry and the Attorney General’s Office. Both individuals and corporations could face criminal charges.

The National Police has already named a corporate suspect, PT TBS, in one case. Authorities have also mapped several other companies suspected of contributing to environmental damage, compiling details on their identities, locations and alleged violations.

“Beyond criminal charges, administrative sanctions will be imposed, including reviews of permits. Licenses found to be inconsistent or in violation will be reevaluated,” Febrie said. Companies found responsible will also be required to cover environmental restoration costs.

National Police chief detective Sahardianto said investigators have questioned 19 witnesses in the PT TBS case, including environmental and land-use experts. Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Dody Triwanto of the task force said preliminary mapping points to multiple companies linked to watershed damage, including nine entities in Aceh, eight legal subjects in North Sumatra and about 14 companies in West Sumatra.

Separately, the Environment Ministry has launched investigations into eight companies suspected of worsening the disaster through deforestation. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said some operations, including gold miner Agincourt Resources, state-owned plantation firm PTPN III and Batang Toru hydropower developer North Sumatra Hydro Energy, have been suspended.

Preliminary findings indicate extensive forest conversion across five major watersheds, weakening soil absorption and amplifying flooding. Disaster agency BNPB reported that as of Monday morning, 1,016 people had been confirmed dead, 212 were missing and more than 7,600 were injured.

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