January 1, 2026 | 04:51 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Governor of Indonesia’s West Java Province, Dedi Mulyadi, has imposed a ban on the establishment of new oil palm plantations and ordered the gradual replacement of existing oil palm crops with other commodities better suited to the region’s environmental conditions.
The policy is set out in a circular letter on the prohibition of oil palm plantations in West Java, signed on December 29, 2025, and addressed to all regents and mayors across the province
Dedi said West Java’s relatively limited land area makes it unsuitable for the large-scale, water-intensive oil palm industry, warning that continued expansion could trigger water shortages and environmental degradation.
“West Java is geographically small, with limited space. Oil palm requires vast tracts of land and large amounts of water, which are not compatible with our conditions,” Dedi said in Bandung on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, as quoted by Antara.
“The province is more suitable for crops such as tea, rubber, cinchona, and coffee.”
He stressed that land use must align with ecological characteristics and conservation goals, adding that commodities incompatible with local conditions should be replaced.
Dedi also revealed that he had previously intervened to prevent the development of an oil palm plantation in a conservation area, months before the circular letter was formally issued.
“About six months ago, there was a plan to plant oil palm on the slopes of Mount Ciremai,” he said. “I did not publicize it, but I stopped the project through the regent.”
Addressing a recent controversy over oil palm plantations in Cirebon, Dedi acknowledged delays in responding to the issue, citing gaps in reporting from village authorities to the provincial government.
He said the lack of early information prevented swift intervention before environmental impacts were felt by local communities.
“In the Cirebon case, there were no reports submitted to me. If village heads report such issues, they can be addressed early. The governor cannot monitor everything at all times,” he said.
The circular letter clarifies that the ban applies to both community-owned and corporate-owned land. The West Java provincial government said the policy aims to restore the region’s function as a water conservation area by promoting environmentally sustainable crops and land use practices.
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