JAKARTA, May 20 (Reuters) – Indonesian police in Riau province have named Singapore-based palm oil group Musim Mas as a criminal corporate suspect over alleged environmental violations, they said in a statement published on the provincial government’s website.
Details as follows:
• Musim Mas’ activities “are strongly suspected to have damaged forests and cleared the buffer zone of the Air Hitam River” in the region of Pelalawan, said Riau police official Ade Kuncoro Ridwan in a statement published on Monday.
• The activities of the group first came under suspicion in January 2025, Ridwan said, adding that Musim Mas planted palm trees very close to the river, eroding its surrounding soil and causing a landslide.
• The ecological damage is valued at 187.8 billion rupiah ($10.67 million), Ridwan said.
• Police characterised the activities as criminal, which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence, Ridwan added.
• Musim Mas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
($1 = 17,600 rupiah)
(Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by David Stanway)
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