Yogi Eka Sahputra, Batam – President Prabowo Subianto has given special authority to the Head of the Batam Investment Coordinating Board or BP Batam to submit requests for the release of forest areas. This authority was granted through Presidential Regulation No. 21 of 2025 on the management of land provision in Free Trade and Free Port (KPBPB) areas.
According to a press release from BP Batam dated Wednesday, May 7, 2025, previously, requests to change forest areas in KPBPB Batam could only be submitted by a government minister or the head of a national agency, a senior official from a ministry, a provincial governor or city mayor, an authority body, a leader of a legal entity, or an individual, group, or community. This rule was based on the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 7 of 2021.
However, with Presidential Regulation No. 21 of 2025, the Head of BP Batam is now among those who can directly submit a request to the Minister of Forestry to change forest areas in KPBPB Batam. "This new regulation gives us at BP Batam a fresh boost to help increase investment in the city of Batam," said Amsakar Achmad, the Head of BP Batam.
The presidential regulation also changes the submission process for leaders of legal entities, individuals, groups, or communities. They can no longer submit requests directly but must do so through the Head of BP Batam.
"We once again express our gratitude to the central government for their great attention to the city of Batam," added Amsakar. "This authority will certainly make investment easier, which will ultimately bring prosperity to the people."
Amsakar also informed hundreds of businesspeople at the BP Batam office about these regulatory changes recently. He explained that forest area releases can now be done through BP Batam, streamlining the investment licensing process in Batam, especially the process of obtaining land permits.
Batam becomes a flood-prone city
Despite the easier forest release regulations, Batam continues to experience floods. Whenever it rains for even less than two hours, several areas in the city, which is known as the "World Civilized City," are flooded.
For example, on Monday, May 6, 2025, local rain in the Batam Kota area caused dozens of flood points, including on main roads, resulting in traffic jams.
Floods around residents' houses in Batu Besar, Nongsa, Batam City after heavy rain hit the city. Antara/Amandine Nadja
Hendrik Hermawan, an environmental activist in Batam and founder of Akar Bhumi Indonesia, warned that the Batam community must be vigilant whenever there is heavy rain. "Even local rain can cause severe flooding," Hendrik said on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Hendrik stated that Batam Island is already struggling with its environmental capacity. He believes that many developments overlook environmental concerns. "Changes in land status only prioritize investment," he argued.
The Deputy Mayor of Batam, Li Claudia Chandra, has pledged to revoke land allocation permits if a company is found to neglect drainage development, causing floods in Batam. She emphasized that land allocation recipients should not harm the community.
"This warning is also directed at developers who will carry out development and existing industrial areas. Our decision is made for the common good," Li stated in a written statement on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2005607/prabowo-grants-bp-batam-authority-to-approve-forest-land-releas