Ecobiz.asia — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry reaffirmed that all timber products produced and exported from the country are legal, sustainable, and fully verified under a strict national licensing and monitoring framework.
Director General of Sustainable Forest Management (PHL) at the Ministry, Laksmi Wijayanti, said all forest utilization activities operate under a tight legal structure through the Business Licensing for Forest Utilization (PBPH), Social Forestry, and Management Rights schemes, including timber utilization permits in Other Land Use Areas (APL) for non-forestry activities (PKKNK).
“Timber produced from PBPH areas or from PKKNK permits in other land use areas is the result of legal processes strictly monitored and verified by the government through the Timber Legality and Sustainability Verification System (SVLK),” Laksmi said in Jakarta on Thursday (Oct. 23, 2025).
Laksmi said the SVLK serves as a key instrument ensuring every link in Indonesia’s timber supply chain meets principles of legality, sustainability, and traceability. The system, she added, continues to be strengthened to align with global deforestation-free trade policies while safeguarding fairness for domestic businesses and communities that rely on forest resources.
She also underlined that land clearing does not automatically constitute illegal deforestation. The government distinguishes between unlicensed, destructive activities and land clearing conducted under formal permits as part of approved national development programs, such as industrial forest plantations or public infrastructure.
“In the context of licensed plantation forests, land preparation is always followed by reforestation, ensuring that forest functions are maintained within a sustainable management cycle,” Laksmi said.
The Director General stressed that the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy for illegal deforestation and fraudulent practices in the timber industry.
“Indonesian timber is legal, sustainable, and verified. It represents the government’s commitment to maintaining global market confidence and ensuring forest resource sustainability for future generations,” she said.
Meanwhile, Erwan Sudaryanto, Director of Forest Products Processing and Marketing at the Ministry, said all timber circulated from licensed operations must carry verified documentation under the SVLK scheme.
“The system not only guarantees legality but also ensures that every stage of timber production and trade upholds sustainability and public accountability. Indonesia is among the countries with the most transparent timber verification systems in the world,” Erwan said.
He added that the government is expanding digitalization and public oversight to improve data transparency and reporting accountability. Collaboration with independent bodies, civil society, and international partners is also being reinforced to maintain the credibility of Indonesia’s forest governance system.
“We want the public and international trading partners to be confident that Indonesian timber comes from legal, sustainable, and transparently verified sources,” Erwan said. ***
