Indonesia sues six companies over environmental harm in flood zones

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by By News AgenciesJanuary 16, 2026 at 11:28 AM

AI Summary

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In January 2026, the Indonesian government filed lawsuits against six companies seeking over $200 million in damages related to environmental harm in Sumatra flood zones. The lawsuits, filed in Jakarta and Medan, hold the companies responsible for damage to over 2,500 hectares of land. The government accuses the companies of causing unspecified damage that contributed to deadly floods in the region last year, which killed over 1,000 people. The Environment Minister stated the suits are based on the "polluter pays" principle, requiring those who damage the ecosystem to restore it. The Environment Ministry is also conducting environmental audits on over 100 companies operating in North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Aceh 30% West Sumatra 30% AFP 40% Indonesia Business Post 40% Medan 50% Hanif Faisol Nurofiq ×260% North Sumatra ×260% Jakarta 60% Ministry of Environment ×370% Sumatra ×280% Indonesia ×590%

Keywords

environmental harm 90% floods 80% deforestation 70% lawsuits 70% polluter pays 60% environmental audits 60% sumatra 50% environmental damage 50% ecosystem restoration 50%