Deforestation inside the Inti Kebun Sejahtera oil palm concession in Southwest Papua

In 2021, Auriga Nusantara published a report showing deforestation in Indonesia moving eastwards to Tanah Papua. The deforestation is planned to support government policies, with permits being granted to convert natural forests for monoculture plantations. Deforestation in Papua increased by 348% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Southwest Papua Province, the gateway to the island, became the epicenter of deforestation, including in Sorong Regency.

One example of planned deforestation in Sorong Regency is taking place inside the oil palm concession belonging to PT Inti Kebun Sejahtera, where ground truthing by Auriga Nusantara documented ongoing deforestation in April 2026.

An environmental impact assessment report by Kaoem Telapak entitled Family Affair (2025) indentifies PT Inti Kebun Sejahtera (IKSJ) as a subsidiary of Ciliandry Anky Abadi, a group controlled by the Fangiono family. The family also controls other business groups, such as First Resources, FAP Agri, Surya Dumai Group, New Borneo Agri, and Merauke Sugar Group.

After undergoing various renewals, PT Inti Kebun Sejahtera’s Oil Palm Plantation Business Permit (IUP) was issued by the Regent of Sorong through Regent Decree No. 660.1/125/2014. Two years earlier, the Minister of Forestry released the area from the Forest Estate through Decree No. 262/Menhut-II/2012 and Decree No. 516/Menhut-II/2012 dated 25 May 2012 and 19 September 2012, respectively. The company’s Cultivation Rights (HGU) are valid until 4 June 2050.

Spatial analysis indicates deforestation inside the Inti Kebun Sejahtera oil palm concession being on an upward trend in recent years. Natural forest loss inside the concession was recorded at 79 hectares in 2023, increasing to 1,562 hectares in 2024, and 2,055 hectares in 2025.

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As the graph above shows, the upward trend in deforestation has continued inside the Inti Kebun Sejahtera oil palm concession during 2026, with deforestation reaching 760 hectares in the first four months of the year.