Riau, Indonesia – PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), a subsidiary of Raja Garuda Emas (RGE) owned by tycoon Sukanto Tanoto, has come under international scrutiny due to its long history of environmental scandals, corruption, and social conflicts in Riau’s forests. Over more than three decades of operation, RAPP and its affiliated companies have been implicated in various illegal activities, including illegal logging, bribery for forestry permits, and the displacement of indigenous communities.
Deforestation and Peatland Ecosystem Destruction
Data from the Riau Forest Rescue Network (Jikalahari) shows that since 1993, RAPP has cleared massive amounts of natural forest cover, damaged peatland ecosystems, and triggered environmental disasters such as forest fires. In the period from 2014 to 2023, Jikalahari recorded the loss of 64,374 hectares of natural forest in the group's concessions. This damage is equivalent to the size of a large city like Pekanbaru.
New canals opened in peatland areas have accelerated peatland drainage, making it more prone to fires. In 2019, RAPP’s concession areas were involved in severe fires that contributed significant carbon emissions, worsening the global climate crisis.
Corruption and Bribery Under the Guise of Forestry Permits
The corruption scandal involving RAPP has also attracted global attention. Between 2002 and 2009, RAPP, along with its affiliated companies, was reported to have bribed high-ranking officials, including Riau Governor Rusli Zainal and several district heads, to secure forestry permits in natural forest areas. As a result, the state suffered a loss of up to IDR 1.3 trillion, while the value of the lost forest cover reached IDR 2.5 trillion.
The Attorney General's Office and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) managed to bring several local officials to court. However, to this day, the top executives of RAPP and Sukanto Tanoto himself have not faced legal consequences, sparking widespread condemnation from activists and the public.
Social Conflicts and the Loss of Indigenous Rights
Beyond environmental damage, the social impact of RAPP’s activities has been immense. A total of 72 villages in Riau have reported conflicts with RAPP-affiliated companies. These conflicts involve the displacement of indigenous communities from their ancestral lands, criminalization, and the loss of livelihoods due to the conversion of natural forests into industrial timber plantations.
In some regions, human-tiger conflicts (KMH) have increased due to the disruption of the Sumatran tiger's habitat, which is now critically endangered. In the last five years, at least 13 people have died as a result of these conflicts, a tragedy that highlights the real-world consequences of the destruction of forest ecosystems.
Lies at International Forums
At international climate forums such as COP29, RAPP has often portrayed itself as an environmentally responsible company. However, this claim has been deemed a gross lie by environmental activists. The reality on the ground tells a different story, with ecological damage far outweighing the contributions claimed by the company.
Calls for International Legal Enforcement
Environmental activists are calling for international legal action against Sukanto Tanoto and RAPP’s executives. "The environmental damage they have caused has global repercussions, and the law must take its course," said Juhendri, Chairman of the Pelalawan Youth Care Movement (GP3).
This call also includes a review of the forestry permits granted to RAPP and its affiliates. If it is proven that these permits were obtained through unlawful means, all operational activities of the company should be halted.
Conclusion
This scandal exposes how large corporations can overlook social and environmental impacts in the pursuit of profit. The case of RAPP and the RGE Group serves as a reminder that environmental protection must be prioritized, not only at the national level but also on a global scale. As the world faces the challenges of climate change, practices like these must be stopped, and those responsible for the damage must be held accountable. (Editorial)
