Luhut Denies Involvement with Toba Pulp Amid Environmental Damage Claims Reporter Antara December 4, 2025 | 10:56 pm TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chair of the National Economic Council (DEN), has formally denied any involvement or ownership in PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL), a company cited as partially responsible for environmental damage that has worsened recent floods in Sumatra.Luhut’s spokesperson, Jodi Mahardi, issued a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday, December 4, 2025, to address the circulating rumors. “Regarding the various misleading information circulating on social media and in the public space, we convey that the information is incorrect,” said Jodi Mahardi. Jodi explicitly stated that Luhut does not have, is not affiliated with, and is not involved in any form, directly or indirectly, with PT Toba Pulp Lestari. “Any claim circulating regarding his ownership or involvement is inaccurate and baseless,” Jodi asserted.The spokesperson emphasized that Luhut, as a state official, consistently adheres to all legal and regulatory provisions governing transparency, government ethics, and the management of potential conflicts of interest. He added that Luhut remains open to fact-checking and encourages the public to rely only on credible sources of information.Jodi urged all parties to be more cautious when circulating unverified information and to prioritize ethics in the digital space to prevent misunderstanding and disinformation.Environmental Allegations Against TPLThe denial follows accusations made by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) of North Sumatra, which named seven companies responsible for environmental damage suspected of exacerbating the flash floods and landslides in Central Tapanuli and Sibolga late last month. PT Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk was among the companies mentioned.According to Walhi’s records, the area hardest hit by the floods occurred within the Harangan Tapanuli Ecosystem (Batang Toru). This tropical forest is crucial as a primary hydrological buffer and the center of the river basin in North Sumatra.The Executive Director of Walhi North Sumatra, Rianda Purba, argued that large-scale industrial operations have severely damaged the ecosystem. He specifically accused mining, energy, and plantation companies of causing massive deforestation in the area.”Satellite images show deforested areas in flood-prone zones. This is an ecological disaster due to human intervention,” Rianda said in a written statement on Saturday, November 29, 2025.TPL Denies ResponsibilityFor its part, the management of PT Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk denied the allegations. Toba Pulp Lestari’s Corporate Secretary, Anwar Lawden, claimed the company is not linked to the cause of the disaster.”The company respects public opinion, but the information provided must be based on verifiable data. We remain open to constructive dialogue,” Anwar stated in a disclosure of information on the Indonesia Stock Exchange on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.Nandito Putra contributed to the reportRead: Sumatra Disaster Update: Death Toll Rises to 836Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News Luhut Denies Involvement with Toba Pulp Amid Environmental Damage Claims Reporter Antara December 4, 2025 | 10:56 pm TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chair of the National Economic Council (DEN), has formally denied any involvement or ownership in PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL), a company cited as partially responsible for environmental damage that has worsened recent floods in Sumatra.Luhut’s spokesperson, Jodi Mahardi, issued a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday, December 4, 2025, to address the circulating rumors. “Regarding the various misleading information circulating on social media and in the public space, we convey that the information is incorrect,” said Jodi Mahardi. Jodi explicitly stated that Luhut does not have, is not affiliated with, and is not involved in any form, directly or indirectly, with PT Toba Pulp Lestari. “Any claim circulating regarding his ownership or involvement is inaccurate and baseless,” Jodi asserted.The spokesperson emphasized that Luhut, as a state official, consistently adheres to all legal and regulatory provisions governing transparency, government ethics, and the management of potential conflicts of interest. He added that Luhut remains open to fact-checking and encourages the public to rely only on credible sources of information.Jodi urged all parties to be more cautious when circulating unverified information and to prioritize ethics in the digital space to prevent misunderstanding and disinformation.Environmental Allegations Against TPLThe denial follows accusations made by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) of North Sumatra, which named seven companies responsible for environmental damage suspected of exacerbating the flash floods and landslides in Central Tapanuli and Sibolga late last month. Luhut Denies Involvement with Toba Pulp Amid Environmental Damage Claims Reporter Antara December 4, 2025 | 10:56 pm TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chair of the National Economic Council (DEN), has formally denied any involvement or ownership in PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL), a company cited as partially responsible for environmental damage that has worsened recent floods in Sumatra.Luhut’s spokesperson, Jodi Mahardi, issued a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday, December 4, 2025, to address the circulating rumors. “Regarding the various misleading information circulating on social media and in the public space, we convey that the information is incorrect,” said Jodi Mahardi. Jodi explicitly stated that Luhut does not have, is not affiliated with, and is not involved in any form, directly or indirectly, with PT Toba Pulp Lestari. “Any claim circulating regarding his ownership or involvement is inaccurate and baseless,” Jodi asserted.The spokesperson emphasized that Luhut, as a state official, consistently adheres to all legal and regulatory provisions governing transparency, government ethics, and the management of potential conflicts of interest. He added that Luhut remains open to fact-checking and encourages the public to rely only on credible sources of information.Jodi urged all parties to be more cautious when circulating unverified information and to prioritize ethics in the digital space to prevent misunderstanding and disinformation.Environmental Allegations Against TPLThe denial follows accusations made by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) of North Sumatra, which named seven companies responsible for environmental damage suspected of exacerbating the flash floods and landslides in Central Tapanuli and Sibolga late last month.
Source: en.tempo.co
