December 3, 2025 | 04:16 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Secretary of the Cabinet, Teddy Indra Wijaya, said Indonesia’s Task Force for Forest Area Management is investigating the causes of recent deadly floods and landslides across several provinces in Sumatra, focusing on possible environmental damage that may have worsened the impact of the disasters.
“In addition to extreme weather, environmental damage has amplified the impact of these disasters. This is being thoroughly investigated,” Teddy said at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, Jakarta, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
He added that the government is prioritizing both the evacuation and assistance of affected residents while conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the disaster’s causes.
“Alongside rescue and relief efforts, we are rigorously assessing and investigating the factors behind this disaster,” Teddy said.
At the same event, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno noted that the task force has also been tracing driftwood carried by the floodwaters in Sumatra.
“The task force has intervened to investigate the driftwood,” he said.
Their statements align with remarks from Indonesian National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who confirmed that a joint team from the Police and Ministry of Forestry will examine the driftwood findings.
The agencies plan to hold a coordination meeting on Thursday, December 4, 2025, to finalize the investigation process.
“Tomorrow, we will hold a joint meeting to deploy the team and delve into this incident,” Listyo said at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase. He also confirmed that the Police have coordinated with Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, adding, “If any legal violations are found, they will be processed accordingly.”
The floods and landslides, which have struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra since last week, have claimed hundreds of lives. According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), as of Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the death toll has reached 743.
In addition, 630 people remain missing and 2,600 injured. The total number of affected residents is around 3.3 million across 50 districts and cities, including 1.5 million in Aceh, 1.7 million in North Sumatra, and 141,800 in West Sumatra.
Social media has been flooded with videos and images of the disaster since it began, including footage of tree trunks swept downstream by floodwaters and scattered driftwood in several West Sumatran locations.
Environmental group Walhi North Sumatra has identified seven companies suspected of causing ecological damage in the Batang Toru Ecosystem and surrounding areas.
Walhi believes massive deforestation may have worsened the floods and landslides in South and Central Tapanuli, asserting that the disaster was driven not only by extreme weather but also by forest cover damage.
PT Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk. has denied the allegations. Corporate Secretary Anwar Lawden said the company respects public concerns but stressed that conclusions should be based on verifiable data.
“The company remains open to constructive dialogue while emphasizing that information must be backed by evidence,” Anwar said during a public disclosure at the Indonesia Stock Exchange on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Nandito Putra, Dani Aswara, and Sultan Abdurrahman contributed to this article.
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