Governor Dedi Mulyadi of West Java has taken a bold and decisive step towards ecological preservation by issuing a total ban on new palm oil plantations across the province. This groundbreaking policy also mandates the gradual replacement or commodity shift for existing palm oil crops, aiming to restore environmental balance throughout West Java.
The comprehensive policy is formally outlined in Circular Letter Number 187/PM.05.02.01/PEREK, specifically addressing the prohibition of palm oil cultivation within the West Java Province. Signed on December 29, 2025, this crucial directive has been disseminated to all regents and mayors, underscoring the provincial government’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.
In an official statement, Dedi Mulyadi elaborated on the critical rationale behind the ban, highlighting that West Java’s inherently narrow geographical characteristics are fundamentally incompatible with the massive, water-intensive demands of the palm oil industry. According to the Governor, widespread palm oil cultivation in the region exacerbates the threat of water scarcity and precipitates environmental disasters. “West Java is small, its area is narrow. Palm oil requires vast land, it’s unsuitable here. We are better suited for tea, rubber, quinine, and coffee,” Dedi asserted on Thursday (1/1).
The Governor further explained that optimal land utilization necessitates a commodity replacement strategy when current land use deviates from its natural habitat and designated purpose. “If the land use is outside its intended designation and not its habitat, then it must be replaced with other, more appropriate plants,” he emphasized, signaling a clear vision for sustainable land management.
Before the official promulgation of this policy, Dedi Mulyadi revealed an undisclosed fact: he had conducted a discreet intervention approximately six months prior to thwart a proposed palm oil plantation project situated within a critical conservation area. “Six months ago, there were plans to plant palm oil on the yellow slopes of Ciremai. I didn’t publicize it, but I stopped it through the regent,” he disclosed, showcasing his proactive approach to environmental protection.
Regarding the recent controversy surrounding palm oil plantations in Cirebon, Dedi acknowledged a delay in response, attributing it to a disrupted chain of information from the village level to the provincial administration. He expressed regret over the lack of early reports before the environmental impact was acutely felt by the local communities. “For the situation in Cirebon, no one reported it to me. If a village head reports, it can be resolved promptly. A governor cannot possibly know everything at all times,” Dedi noted.
Through this pivotal circular, the West Java Provincial Government unequivocally asserts that the ban on palm oil cultivation applies universally to both community-owned lands and corporate entities. This decisive action is aimed at diligently restoring West Java’s vital function as a crucial water conservation area, fostering the growth of more environmentally friendly perennial plants, and securing a sustainable ecological future for the region.
Summary
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has issued a total ban on new palm oil plantations across the province, along with a mandate for the gradual replacement of existing crops. This crucial policy, outlined in Circular Letter Number 187/PM.05.02.01/PEREK and signed on December 29, 2025, aims to restore environmental balance. Governor Mulyadi stated that West Java’s narrow geography is unsuitable for water-intensive palm oil, which exacerbates water scarcity and environmental disasters.
The Governor emphasized the need for commodity replacement where land use deviates from its natural habitat, suggesting crops like tea and coffee are more appropriate. The ban applies universally to both community-owned lands and corporate entities, reflecting a proactive approach to environmental protection, as seen in a prior intervention near Ciremai. This decisive action seeks to restore West Java’s vital function as a water conservation area and foster sustainable ecological practices for the future.
