PT Alamsari Lestari
The Allegation
PT Alamsari Lestari, owned by Mentari Group, was alleged to have cleared 6 hectares of peat forest in January 2022 and developed 45 hectares of peatland in Jan–Feb 2022.
Timeline
5 Apr 2022
Permata received information from our customer that PT. Alamsari Lestari was allegedly found to have cleared 6 hectares of peat forest in January 2022 and developed a total of 45 hectares of peatland in the two months of Jan and Feb 2022 It is reported that Mentari Group owned PT. Alamsari Lestari and one of Mentari Group's mills, which is PT. Risman Scham Palm Indonesia (RSI) lastly sourced palm oil to Permata in 2021
6 Apr 2022
Permata engaged with Mentari Group and asked for clarification
15 Jun 2022
Mentari Group confirmed that PT. Alamsari Lestari concession consists of peatland and it was a recent acquisition in 2019 Mentari Group stated that the land clearing carried out was in fact a recovery / replanting of unproductive planting areas where the land had previously been cleared, developed and planted by the old owner but was not managed properly, resulting in the growth of natural plants. Permata asked Mentari Group to provide evidence regarding the period of the initial opening or development was first carried out (before the recovery / replanting which is currently being carried out by the Mentari Group) in the area that became the problem Permata has suspended any purchases from PT. Risman Scham Palm Indonesia until further progress has been made
23 Jul 2023
According to "Rapid Response Report 42" released by Mighty Earth, PT. Alamsari Lestari's plantation was found to clear a total of 162 ha of peatland, starting from April 2022 until June 2023. Permata Group has neither sourced any FFB from PT. Alamsari Lestari nor continued any purchases of palm oil with its affiliated mill, PT Risman Scham Palm Indonesia, since the last engagement in the month of June 2022
Current Status / Resolution
Based on the findings and response above, we consider this case closed. Permata Group has not sourced from PT Alamsari Lestari nor continued purchases since June 2022.
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