Media Frame: Indonesia takes action against mining firms after floods devastate population of world’s rarest ape, The Guardian

Indonesia takes action against mining firms after floods devastate population of world’s rarest ape

Gloria Dickie, Age of Extinction Series, The Guardian, Jan 23, 2026

Conservationists hail the ‘desperately needed’ measures and urge greater protection after up to 11% of endangered Tapanuli orangutans wiped out

The floods and landslides that tore through Indonesia’s fragile Batang Toru ecosystem in November 2024 – killing up to 11% of the world’s Tapanuli orangutan population – prompted widespread scrutiny of the extractive companies operating in the area at the time of the ecological catastrophe.

For weeks, investigators searched for evidence that the companies may have damaged the Batang Toru and Garoga watersheds before the disaster, which washed torrents of mud and logs into villages, claiming the lives of more than 1,100 people.

Now, the government is taking action. Over the past week, Indonesia’s president, Prabowo Subianto, has announced a number of measures to hold companies accountable over what scientists say was an “extinction-level disturbance” for the world’s rarest ape.

“This is the news we have been waiting for, and the deep breath the Batang Toru ecosystem desperately needed,” said Amanda Hurowitz, the forest commodities lead at conservation nonprofit Mighty Earth, which has long been fighting threats to the Tapanuli.

On Tuesday, the Indonesian government said it would revoke the permits of 28 companies, halting their operations in the area. This includes the permits for mining company PT Agincourt Resources, behind the Martabe goldmine, as well as the permit for PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy, the developer of a large hydropower project being built along the Batang Toru River. The other permits were largely focused on timber harvesting and oil palm plantations.

The decision follows the results of an investigation by the country’s Forest Area Regulation Task Force.

Earlier this week, the country’s environment ministry also sued six companies – identified only by their initials – for 4.8tn rupiah (£211m) over alleged links to the environmental damages in the Batang Toru ecosystem.

A Tapanuli orangutan hangs from branches in a rainforest as a baby Tapanuli clings to her

The ministry said the six companies were responsible for unspecified damages spanning 2,500 hectares (6,200 acres) in the region’s watersheds.

PT Agincourt Resources said it had only learned about the revocation of its permit from media reports. “We are following up with the regulators,” the company said in a statement to the Guardian. “The company respects every government decision and maintains its rights in accordance with applicable regulations.” Operations at the mine have been paused since 6 December.[…]

Biological anthropologist Erik Meijaard said a team would soon visit the area to fully assess effects on the orangutans in the area. But he noted that most of the landslides that had occurred in the western portion of the ecosystem, known as West Block, had little to do with the six companies that were being sued.

“As far as we can see, these were primarily caused by extreme rainfall that affected forests on steep slopes in the interior of the West Block.

“Of course, the hydro dam and goldmine have impacted Tapanuli orangutan habitat, but the relationship with the landslides is tentative,” he added.

Still, environmental campaigners took the government’s actions as a win for the Tapanuli.

“The Indonesian government must now act to permanently end any further deforestation,” Hurowitz said. “And to begin work, as it has indicated, to restore the damage that has been done, prevent any further loss of human life and offer a future for the Tapanuli orangutan.”

https://www.tempo.co/politik/bencana-sumatera-izin-perusahaan-dicabut-2109681

This post is based on https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/23/tapanuli-orangutans-floods-indonesia-government-mining-extraction-companies-aoe.

In earlier news…

Meeting of Aceh Ulema Council Calls on Indonesia’s President to Declare National Disaster, Kompas.com

By Kompas.com, December 15, 2025, with reporting from Zuhri Noviandi, Novita Rahmawati

BANDA ACEH, KOMPAS.com – The Chair of Aceh’s Ulema Consultative Council (MPU), Tgk H. Faisal Ali, said his office had held a meeting of the provinces leading Islamic scholars (ulama) about the situation in Aceh and the handing of disaster recovery efforts.

During the meeting, Faisal Ali, known as Abu Sibreh, said the ulama had issued several recommendations, including a call for the central government to declare a National Disaster. “We request that President Prabowo Subianto declare the storm event disaster that struck Aceh, and other affected areas including North Sumatra and West Sumatra, an [official] National Disaster,” Abu Sibreh said, citing one of the points from the meeting when contacted by Kompas.com on Monday December 15, 2025.

Opening address by Aceh MPU Chair, Tgk. Faisal Ali, or Abu Disibreh as he is familiarly known, at Baiturrahman Mosque in Banda Aceh Sunday 14/12/2025). (Photo credit: Kompas.com and Zuhri Novandi.)

The call for the declaration was intended to speed up relief efforts for victims, infrastructure recovery, and open up wider access to humanitarian assistance, including from the international community, in a coordinated, accountable manner, and in accordance with the current law.

The meeting also called on the Governor of Aceh province, H. Muzakkir Manaf, and the heads of regional governments throughout Aceh to develop an integrated plan for sustainable post-disaster development in Aceh, Kompas.com reported.

“The plan should be aimed at future disaster mitigation, environmental recovery, strengthening the community’s economy, and protecting educational institutions and places of worship,” he said.

Newly completed Awe Geutah Bailey Bridge December 18 after the bridge was destroyed by the extreme weather flash floods in Bireuen, Aceh, in late November 2025. The Ministry of Public Works and Indonesian armed forces Iskandar Muda Military District Command completed the bailey bridge connecting Bireuen with North Aceh across the Peusangan River. (Photo credit: ANTARA FOTO/Irwansyah Putra.)

The Islamic Scholars urged the Aceh provincial and district governments throughout Aceh to re-write their budgets to accommodate flood and landslide disaster management throughout Aceh. Aceh province’s Islamic scholars are aware of the limitations faced by local governments in dealing with large-scale disasters.

The meeting urged the central government to pay serious attention, budget support, and take strategic short- and long-term measures that are objective and proportional to the level of the emergency.

“The Aceh government should unify its stance, strengthen cross-sector coordination, and report the conditions and impacts of the disaster honestly, openly, and measurably to the central government as a basis for policy-making and quick response,” he said. The government and law enforcement officials should seriously investigate the perpetrators of the environmental destruction who have contributed to the disaster, and to take legal action against them in accordance with the current law.

Every part of society, both within and outside Aceh, was urged to refrain from spreading misinformation, hate speech, insults, or provocations that could worsen the situation during the disaster and prolong the suffering of survivors.

The Islamic leaders in Aceh urged all parts of the community to rebuild mosques, both in disaster-affected and non-disaster affected areas, with various worship activities, communal prayers, spiritual strengthening, and social religious activities that can calm and strengthen the community. “This meeting (muzakarah) calls on every Muslim to continue to pray for the safety, recovery, and prosperity of Aceh and other disaster-affected areas,” he concluded.

This post is based on https://regional.kompas.com/read/2025/12/15/124258678/hasil-musyawarah-ulama-aceh-minta-presiden-tetapkan-status-bencana-nasional and https://regional.kompas.com/read/2025/12/19/140209878/pp-muhammadiyah-soal-bencana-di-aceh-sumut-dan-sumbar-derita-luar-biasa. Featured image credit: Photo credit ANTARA FOTO and Erlangga Bregas Prakoso via Kabar24.bisnis.com.

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Minister of Communication and Digital: 452 BTS Towers in Aceh Still Not Operational, Waiting on Electricity

Kompas.com, December 15, 2025, reporting from Fika Nurul Ulya and Ardito Ramadhan

Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid told reporters that 452 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in Aceh province were still not operational, following the flash floods and landslides that hit the island of Sumatra on November 26, 2025 as a result of Cyclone Senyar.

Timber debris washed downstream during flash floods and landslides that smashed into Aceh Tamiang settlements Wednesday November 26, 2025. (Photo credit: KOMPAS.com/FIKA NURUL ULYA.)

Overall, the total number of affected BTS in the region reached 3,735, of which 3,283, or approximately 87.89 percent, have been restored since the disaster.

“A total of 452 BTS are not fully restored in Aceh. They have not been repaired, or roads are still impassable, which is 12 percent (12.10 percent). So, once again, 87 percent of BTS have been restored,” said Minister Meutya at the Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta, on Monday 15 December, 2025.

Meutya explained that the restored BTS would be optional when the electricity network was available and stable.

“So, we still have quite a lot of homework to do in Aceh. Areas like Bener Meriah, Takengon, and Aceh Tamiang are areas that really need further work,” Meutya said.

Meanwhile, recovery in North Sumatra and West Sumatra is much better. Meutya said the total number of BTS restored in North Sumatra has reached 4,360, or 98.71 percent. Meanwhile, the total number of BTS restored in West Sumatra has reached 1,121, or 99.73 percent.

To speed up the recovery, Meutya admitted she has asked the operator to send more generators.

This is because electricity is necessary for the recovery process. “Of course, to operate a stable electricity supply or generators are needed. So the temporary solution is to encourage the delivery of more generators,” Meutya said. “However, the most ideal option is for the electricity to be stable.

This post is based on https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/12/15/21543001/menkomdigi-452-tower-bts-di-aceh-belum-pulih-perlu-aliran-listrik. Photo credit: Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images via Bloomberg.

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Visiting evacuees in Central Aceh, President Prabowo: Believe me, you are not alone

By Adhyasta Dirgantara and Ardito Ramadhan for Kompas.com, December 12, 2025

Jakarta, Kompas.com – Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto told disaster evacuees in Takengon, Central Aceh district, you are not alone, despite the dire conditions in the area. Prabowo explained that his visit to Takengon on Friday December 12, 2025, aimed to speed up recovery efforts in the area.

“I came here today to assess the situation and also to check with the Regent, Deputy Regent, and community leaders to see how we can speed up the recovery,” Prabowo said.

“The situation is indeed quite difficult and concerning, but please believe that you are not alone,” he added.

Prabowo reiterated the government’s strong commitment to assist disaster victims. He assured them he would alleviate the hardships being experienced by all the evacuees.

“I ask for everyone’s patience. God willing, we can quickly restore the situation so that everyone’s lives can be better,” Prabowo said. Prabowo also prayed that God would always protect the victims. “I pray that the Almighty, Allah SWT, will always watch over and protect everyone here. I have to go to another district, but God willing, we will do everything we can to help you,” he said.

This post is based on https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/12/12/14353531/temui-pengungsi-di-aceh-tengah-prabowo-percayalah-saudara-tidak-sendiri and https://en.tempo.co/read/2073090/prabowo-offers-apology-calls-for-patience-on-visit-to-disaster-stricken-aceh.

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When Middle Eastern solidarity meets an unexpected Indonesian rebuff, from Middle East Monitor

By Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama, for Middle East Monitor, December 10, 2025

“..[I]nternational assistance is not yet necessary,” said Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono on December 5, explaining that domestic capacity remained sufficient, Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama reported for Middle East Monitor on December 10. Indonesia’s State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi repeated the message the next day, saying the government had its own “considerations.”

No Preconditions

To many in the Middle East, the refusal was perplexing. The humanitarian need was enormous, and assistance was coming from friendly states with neither political preconditions nor strategic demands.

Indonesia’s hesitancy is rooted in its political history. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami devastated Aceh—resulting in the loss of more than 160,000 lives—the country saw an unprecedented influx of foreign militaries, NGOs, and aid teams.

Sovereignty

While that aid saved lives, it also sparked unease within Indonesia’s political elite about sovereignty and international oversight. Since then, the Indonesian government has been reluctant to accept large-scale foreign assistance unless a “national disaster” is formally declared—a designation used only twice: for the 2004 tsunami and the COVID-19 pandemic. Jakarta has not applied that designation to the current floods, leaving foreign aid effectively restricted.. Read the whole piece from Middle East Monitor here.

Saudi Assistance

Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto held a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (MBS), on Wednesday evening, December 10, 2025, reports Kompas.com. The conversation topics discussed included the Sumatran floods, according to Indonesia’s Cabinet Secretary and former ADC to then Defense Secretary, Teddy Indra Wijaya, on an official Instagram account @sekretariat.kabinet on Thursday December 11, 2025.

“President Prabowo Subianto had a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (MBS), on Wednesday evening, December 10, 2025. During the conversation, several matters were discussed,” Cabinet Secretary Teddy said. Regarding the Sumatran floods, the Crown Prince expressed his full support and condolences to President Prabowo and all Indonesians, especially those affected by the disaster.

“Indonesia is a large country, and its leader is a strong President who can face any situation,” Teddy said, referring to Prince MBS’s remarks, according to Kompas.com.

North Sumatra

Photo of residents wading through flood water carrying their belongings to safety after heavy rain inundated neighborhoods in Medankrio district, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatera Province, Indonesia on November 27, 2025. [Photo credit Kiki Cahyadi and Anadolu Agency via Middle East Monitor.]

Darul Mukhlishin Islamic Boarding School, Aceh Tamiang

An aerial photo published December 9 by Bisnis.com showing extraordinary mass of timber debris and logs surrounding Darul Mukhlishin Islamic Boarding School following extreme weather flash flooding events in Tanjung Karang Village, Karang Baru, Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh province, on Friday December 5, 2025.

A week after the flash flood access to Tanjung Karang Village was still being impeded by the piles of timber debris and thick mud from the Tamiang River, preventing aid reaching the area, reported Anshary Madya Sukma for Bisnis.com. [Photo credit ANTARA FOTO and Erlangga Bregas Prakoso via Kabar24.bisnis.com.]

Photo credit: Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images via Bloomberg.

Government refuses to declare a state of emergency

Indonesians were bracing for more heavy rains after floods and landslides devastated regions in the north and west, reported DW on its Youtube channel on December 7, 2025. According to DW News, more than 880 people are confirmed dead and hundreds are missing.

A chain of tropical storms hit South and Southeast Asia last week. More heavy rain is expected in the next 24 hours. DW’s Georg Matthes has this report from North Sumatra. Sri Lanka is also bracing for more devastation after it was hit by a cyclone last week. Forecasters are warning of fresh rains and landslides. More than 600 are dead and another 200 people are missing. Around two million people have been affected by floods and landslides. Tens of thousands of homes have been damaged. The government has announced a compensation package to help people rebuild, DW News claimed.

National Scrutiny

The floods and landslides hitting parts of Indonesia’s North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh provinces for a week was the focus of KompasTV’s premier news talk show “Satu Meja The Forum” that aired December 3, 2025. With more than 800 deaths confirmed and hundreds of others missing, the episode focused on the question of why the Indonesian government had not declared a national disaster.

This post is based on https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/12/11/21255081/prabowo-teleponan-dengan-pangeran-mbs-bahas-banjir-sumatera-hingga-kampung, https://youtu.be/5KMYYJ0DsuI?si=OuUpK7Bep9NUqwIs and https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20251210-when-middle-eastern-solidarity-meets-an-unexpected-indonesian-rebuff/. Featured image credit: Buildings damaged after flash flood in Aceh Tamiang, Aceh, Thursday (December 4, 2025). The Aceh Hydrometeorological Disaster Emergency Response Command Post reported on Tuesday (December 2), 1,452,185 people were affected by the disaster that struck 3,310 villages in 18 districts and cities in Aceh Province. (ANTARA FOTO/Bayu Pratama S) https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/12/11/17513971/sri-selamatkan-bayinya-terjang-banjir-aceh-tamiang-demi-bubur-dan-tajin.

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