"Indonesia revokes permits of 28 companies in environmental crackdown", 21 January 2026

... The cyclone-induced floods and landslides on the island of Sumatra in late November killed 1,200 people, destroyed homes and displaced over a million residents. Environmental experts said the devastation was worsened by rampant deforestation to make way for mines and plantations.

President Prabowo Subianto ... revoked the permits of 28 firms involved in forestry, oil palm and cocoa as well as power generation and mining.

They included North Sumatra Hydro Energy (NSHE), Agincourt Resources and Toba Pulp Lestari.

NSHE, responsible for the Batangtoru hydropower plant, is controlled by China's SDIC Power Holdings, according to Indonesia's state utility firm. The project, currently under construction by PowerChina, has long been on the radar of environmental activists, with many calling for it to be stopped because of the ecological destruction it has wrought on the biodiverse island.

...... SDIC Power did not immediately respond to a Reuters' email seeking comment. NSHE said it is formulating answers to Reuters' queries. PowerChina could not immediately be reached for comment.

......Huang He, China's consulate general in North Sumatra, told local media that the construction of the Batangtoru plant was compliant with Indonesian laws, adding that he hoped the company's activities could be resumed.

Pulp maker Toba Pulp..... said it was seeking clarification from the government while it assesses the potential impact on its business.

...... Astra International's Agincourt, which operates the Martabe gold and silver mine, declined to comment on the revocation as it has not received any official notice from the government, adding it will respect the government's decision while maintaining the company's legal rights.

Previously, Agincourt said that attempts to link its operations to the disaster last November were "premature."

It was not immediately clear what the revocation of the permits would mean for the future of the projects.

The government's decision is "final," but companies can discuss with related government agencies about the future of their assets, said Barita Simanjuntak, spokesperson for Indonesia's military-backed forestry task force that investigates the companies.

.... Environmental group WALHI has called on the government to make sure the companies rehabilitate the degraded forests, ..... adding that the assets should not be transferred to other owners.