Ministry sues six companies over worsening North Sumatra disaster

 The Environment Ministry has filed a civil lawsuit against six companies in North Sumatra worth Rp4.9 trillion (US$282 million) for allegedly contributing to the worsening of the hydrometeorological disaster in the province.

"Along with the government's administrative sanctions, we have also filed a civil lawsuit against six entities in North Sumatra totaling Rp4.9 trillion. The lawsuit is currently being processed in court," Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said during a working meeting with Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta 

His office will also file civil lawsuits against several other companies in North Sumatra suspected of contributing to the worsening of the hydrometeorological disaster in the region.

"Hopefully, we can file the next lawsuit this week. So, we will file lawsuits in stages against all entities that exacerbated the hydrometeorological disaster in North Sumatra," he pointed out.

He added that his office, in collaboration with the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri), is investigating alleged criminal activity by several companies operating in Aceh and North Sumatra.

"We are also investigating potential criminal acts. We are currently compiling two criminal cases, both in Aceh and North Sumatra. Four are currently under investigation. For these investigations, we have been asked to confirm with the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency," he said.

"We will fully support the provision of environmental documents to the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency," Nurofiq continued.

The Ministry of Environment is currently monitoring the activities of 68 companies in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra related to hydrometeorological disaster management in the three provinces.

These include 31 companies in Aceh, 15 in North Sumatra, and 22 in West Sumatra.

Administrative sanctions have been issued to these 68 companies in the form of mandatory environmental audits for all business units.

In addressing hydrometeorological disasters from an environmental perspective, the ministry is implementing tiered law enforcement efforts based on spatial evidence and field verification, supported by a scientific basis.