Aep Sopandi, Bandung – Indonesia's Ministry of Environment has filed civil lawsuits against six companies accused of causing environmental damage linked to severe flooding and landslides in Sumatra, seeking compensation of Rp 4.8 trillion ($283.9 million), the government said.
Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said on Friday that the alleged environmental degradation contributed to widespread flooding and landslides in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh between November and December 2025.
The government is continuing post-disaster reconstruction efforts in affected areas while pursuing legal action against parties deemed responsible, Hanif said.
"Yesterday, we filed civil lawsuits amounting to Rp 4.8 trillion against six companies," Hanif told reporters in Bandung without citing names.
Beyond the initial cases, the government is investigating more than 200 additional companies that may have contributed to environmental damage and could face further civil claims, he said. Criminal charges are also being considered, although authorities are awaiting the results of environmental audits expected to be completed within the next three months.
The series of natural disasters in Sumatra killed more than 1,100 people and displaced thousands, according to government data. Dozens of bridges were destroyed by flash floods, many of which carried large volumes of timber believed to have originated from illegal logging.
Land degradation and the loss of forest cover also triggered landslides that buried villages across the three provinces, highlighting long-standing concerns over deforestation and weak land management practices in the region.