PT Agro Nusa Abadi, PT Lestari Tani Teladan & PT Mamuang

Aug 2022

According to grievances made by Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (WALHI) and Friends of the Earth (FoE), three subsidiaries of PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (AAL), namely PT Mamuang, PT Agro Nusa Abadi dan PT Lestari Tani Teladan in Central Sulawesi have been involved in a land dispute and criminalization of the local community. Following WALHI/FOE submiited grievances, Econusantara has released a verification report detailing their findings, in which field verification took place from 25 May 2022 - 12 June 2022. Below are the summary report of the findings: 1. PT Mamuang - PT Mamuang and the local community are both claiming the same 50 ha of land. - Alleged criminalization of farmers. 2. PT Agro Nusa Abadi - Alleged land grabbing of aproximately 5,000 ha from farmers in 4 villages. - Operating without HGU. 3. PT Lestari Tani Teladan - Alleged land grabbing of approximately 100 ha of land from farmers.

6 Dec 2022

Permata Group engaged with AAL and asked for clarification regarding Econusantara's report.

8 Dec 2022

AAL has responded to Permata Group regarding Econusantara's (ENS) report as follows : 1. PT Mamuang - PT Mamuang obtained its Rights To Cultivate (Hak Guna Usaha or "HGU") land title certificate in 1997. - The land claim allegations against PT Mamuang were based on a document issued many years after issuance of PT Mamuang land title certificate. - The criminal case brought against Mr. Hemsi was purely a criminal case based on charges of theft of fruit in Block C26 and had nothing to do with PT Mamuang nor any of AAL's subsidiaries 2. PT Agro Nusa Abadi - PT Agro Nusa Abadi (ANA) is in the process of obtaining its HGU certificate, in which one of the steps is to verify the potential overlapped land with the land owners. - Based on PT ANA's documentation, currently the remaining land under the compensation process is around 730 ha. 3. PT Lestari Tani Teladan - PT Lestari Tani Teladan (LTT) obtained its HGU in 1995. - The land grabbing allegation against PT LTT regarding 100 ha in the FoE report is contradicted by the ENS report, which states that PT LTT did not take community land. - In fact, the community asked PT LTT to enclave 60 ha of its HGU due to the threat of erosion posed by the Lariang river.

10 Jan 2023

In light of the allegation, AAL has committed to take all grievances and reports seriously by formulating an action plan, starting by appointing an independent third party to review the allegations further. In addition, AAL have worked with Conflict Resolution Unit (CRU) to review and design their Respect for Human Rights Policy.

31 Mar 2023

AAL has appointed Econusantara as the indenpendent third party to conduct in-depth investigation in regards to FoE allegations.

12 May 2023

AAL published its first progress update on the verification process.

26 May 2023

AAL published its second progress update on the verification process.

09 Jun 2023

AAL published its third progress update on the verification process.

23 Jun 2023

AAL published its fifth progress update on the verification process

07 Jul 2023

AAL published its fifth progress update on the verification process

21 July 2023

AAL published its sixth progress update on the verification process.

04 Aug 2023

AAL published its seventh progress update on the verification process.

18 Aug 2023

AAL published its eight progress update on the verification process.

01 Sept 2023

AAL published its ninth progress update on the verification process.

15 Sept 2023

AAL published its tenth progress update on the verification process Click Here for AAL's Response on their website

29 Sept 2023

AAL published its eleventh progress update on the verification process

13 Oct 2023

AAL published its twelfth progress update on the verification proces.

27 Oct 2023

AAL published its thirteenth progress update on the verification process .

10 Nov 2023

AL published its fourteenth progress update on the verification process .

24 Nov 2023

AAL published its fifteenth progress update on the verification process.

27 Nov 2023

Econusantara released a verification report pertaining recommendations that can be taken by AAL for its subsidiaries as seen below: 1. PT Lestari Tani Teladan a. Explore options to grant the community's request for the 14 hectares of land in residential areas and cemetery grounds, together with village officials and local government. b. FoE/Walhi to provide further evidence as the HGU's referred do not match with PT LTT's HGU permits. c. Due to differences in data issued by BLH and BBIHP, PT LTT/AAL is advised to be proactive in ensuring that these complaints are handled properly at the field level. 2. PT Mamuang a. Hemsi's land claim in Block C26 has been clearly discussed in this report. It is recommended that improvements in relations between PT Mamuang and Hemsi be carried out using a peaceful approach, and programs to improve the welfare of the surrounding community be intensified. b. Establish a good relationship with KT-SRJ through more intensive program approaches. c. Confiscation of the Tado Kabuyu Indigenous community, it is hoped that interested parties will be able to provide more detailed and precise data to confirm the object of the claim in question. d. Continue and intensify programs that can improve the welfare of the Tado Kabuyu Indigenous People so that they get the same opportunities as other Indonesian people. 3. PT Agro Nusa Abadi a. Involve key parties including the government, community and NGOs/assistant groups, to a resolution that can be accepted by all parties. b. Regarding overlapping objects claimed by every group or individual whose land claims overlap needs to exercise restraint in order to avoid horizontal conflict and be able to find solutions together. c. Recommended to immediately complete the processing of the Rights to Cultivate (HGU).

08 Dec 2023

Response in the Accusation of Intimidation and Coercion by the Security of AAL To Local Communities in Rio Mukti, Sulawesi

9 Feb 2024

ENS was brought on board to help AAL create an Action Plan to implement the suggestions made by ENS's Independent Verification of Allegations. AAL will release the finalised Action Plan and provide stakeholders with a monthly progress update

04 Apr 2024

AAL will soon be establishing an action plan to follow up the verification report published by ENS. During the past two months, Team of AAL and ENS have held several meetings to prepare and finalize the Action Plan. Currently, the action plan is in the review stage by the Robertsbridge team to ensure all recommendations made in ENS's independent are accomodated.

28 Apr 2024

WALHI published another article regarding their action, along with representation of Central Sulawesi communities and FoE, protested outside Astra International and Mandarin Oriental, owned by Jardine Matheson. They accused PT Mamuang, PT Lestari Tani Teladan, PT Agro Nusa Abadi, and PT Sawit Jaya Abadi 2 of land grabbing and harming local communities

02 May 2024

AAL released a public statement stating that AAL and its subsidiaries, PT Mamuang, PT Lestari Tani Teladan, PT Agro Nusa Abadi, and PT Sawit Jaya Abadi 2, have never committed acts of criminalization, do not have the authority to do so, nor have they made any threats against the community. AAL upholds the laws applicable in Indonesia and believes that every process is carried out fairly. AAL also reiterates that the grievances against PT Mamuang, PT Lestari Tani Teladan, and PT Agro Nusa Abadi have been transparently verified by ENS.

21 Jun 2024

AAL has published a Joint Statement with ENS regarding Action Plan as the followup on the 2023 third party verification. The action plan has been reviewed and includes inputs from stakeholders. AAL and ENS continue to actively seek feedback from stakeholders.

25 Jun 2024

Friends of the Earth US (FoE), WALHI (Friends of the Earth Indonesia), and Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands) have released a new report highlighting land disputes, governance gaps, and accountability issues within Astra Agro Lestari’s operations in Indonesia. The report also include AAL's response to the allegations made by FoE US and WALHI.

19 July 2024

Permata reached out to AAL for their response to recent publications by Friends of the Earth US, WALHI, and Milieudefensie. AAL clarified that they had tried to engage directly with FoE to address the concerns raised in these reports. However, there are significant challenges in developing enduring communication channels. AAL refuted the allegations contained in the new publications and provided compelling arguments. They remain committed to resolving the ongoing disputes by fostering open dialogue with stakeholders, including FoE and Walhi. Permata will continue the engagement with AAL

2 Sep 2024

AAL published its "First Progress Report on Action Plan Implementation" in collaboration with EcoNusantara (ENS) in August 2024 The three main activities outlined include community engagement and needs assessment following FPIC standards, livelihood support, and ongoing CSR programs. PT Lestari Tani Teladan : - An MoU was signed by community members, landowners, and government agencies agreed under FPIC principles for the development of a Public Cemetery (TPU), with the opening anticipated to take place in October 2024. - Addressing community concerns for clean water supply by building two clean water facilities and sanitation units. PT Mamuang : - Continuously providing staple food assistance to the Kabuyu Community and actively exploring livelihood programs that the company can support. PT. Agro Nusa Abadi : - Continuously coordinating with local government to resolve overlapping land issues. - Committed to follow the government directives pertaining the release of PT ANA's land to the Bunta community, with the land handover process guided by the instructions from the Governor of Central Sulawesi.