Indigenous Peoples Demand State Intervention as Land Conflict with Land Use Services Remains Unresolved

The call for the closure of PT Toba Pulp Lestari continues to be voiced by church institutions, non-governmental organizations, and indigenous communities. The prolonged agrarian conflict occurring in several villages around Lake Toba has led to the marginalization of indigenous people and has resulted in criminalization. The industrial plantation company is also considered to be causing environmental damage in the vicinity of Lake Toba.

The calls have intensified following the agrarian conflict that erupted again in Sihaporas Village, Pematang Sidamanik District, Simalungun Regency, at the end of September 2025. For a month, the community's economy has been devastated because the company has cut off access to the residents' fields. The road has been excavated to a depth of five meters at three points.

After the indigenous community, along with several church organizations and non-governmental organizations, worked together to fill in the cut-off road on Saturday (18/10/2025), workers from PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) returned to excavate the filled land using heavy excavating equipment.

"This action is not merely a violation of corporate ethics, but an affront to humanity and sincere faith. This action reflects greed that rejects God's love and justice," said Ephorus of the Batak Protestant Christian Church (HKBP) Pastor Victor Tinambunan, Tuesday (21/10/2025).

Victor stated that for decades, indigenous communities have been facing agrarian conflicts with TPL. The conflicts occur not only in Simalungun but also in Toba Regency, North Tapanuli, Humbang Hasundutan, and South Tapanuli.

The conflict in Sihaporas Village, which erupted on Monday (22/9/2025), illustrates how indigenous communities are struggling in the face of conflict. According to Victor, the community has yet to feel the presence of the state in resolving agrarian conflicts over customary land that overlaps with the concessions of PT TPL.

"Specifically, we request that the government (state) be present to protect, respect, and uphold human rights. We also ask the government not to neglect and disregard the suffering of the marginalized communities," said Victor.

The Chairman of the Customary Institution of the Descendants of Ompu Mamontang Laut Ambarita Sihaporas (Lamtoras), Mangitua Ambarita, stated that they have been unable to go to the fields for a month because the road has been cut off by TPL. They cannot tend to and harvest coffee, ginger, corn, rice fields, and other agricultural products.

The conflict that resulted in at least 34 indigenous people injured, 4 houses damaged, and 10 motorcycles burned has also left lingering trauma among the indigenous community. They are now more often staying at home. "We ask that the state be present in addressing the suffering we are facing," said Mangitua.

Pastor Herman Nainggolan OFM Cap from Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Kapusin Medan stated that several pastors, nuns, along with other church institutions, are assisting indigenous communities in filling in the road that has been cut off. Approximately 200 people brought shovels to fill in the road that was excavated to a depth of five meters at three points.

"The community was very touched when they were finally able to see their fields after being abandoned for a month due to conflict. They asked us to accompany them to the fields," said Herman.

"We ask that the state be present in resolving the suffering we are facing,"

Heavy rain poured down as hundreds of residents worked together to fill the hole. However, they still struggled to fill it.

Indigenous communities are also accompanied by other church institutions, namely Huria Kristen Indonesia, the Theological College (STT) HKBP Pematang Siantar, STT Abdi Sabda Medan, and the State Institute of Christian Religion Tarutung.

Non-governmental organizations also contributed to closing the broken road, namely the Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (AMAN) Tano Batak Region, the Community Initiative Study and Development Group (KSPPM), and the North Sumatra Legal Aid and Advocacy Association (Bakumsu). All of these organizations are part of the Ecumenical Secretariat for Ecological Justice in North Sumatra.

However, on Saturday night, the road was cut off again. TPL deployed heavy machinery to excavate the road that had already been dug. The community members who planned to return to farming ultimately had to abandon their intentions.

The Head of Corporate Communications at PT TPL, Salomo Sitohang, stated that the road excavation activities are part of the official operational activities of PT TPL. "The road is located within the company's concession area in accordance with the business license for forest utilization (PBPH) of the company," said Salomo.

Salomo stated that the road is not a village road but rather an access road for the operational activities of the company that was built to support production activities.

Following the incident of an attack on employees and workers, access to the road has been temporarily closed for security and safety reasons. Salomo stated that the area is still under investigation by law enforcement. They are also awaiting the mediation process facilitated by the Simalungun Regency Government.

Salomo stated that TPL is the legitimate holder of the PBPH license based on the Decree of the Minister of Forestry No. 493/Kpts-II/1992 in conjunction with the Decree of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number SK.1487/Menlhk/Setjen/HPL.0/12/2021.

As an industrial forest plantation company, TPL manages an industrial forest plantation concession covering 167,912 hectares.

Salomo stated that they also requested the government to resolve the agrarian conflict issues. TPL has sent a letter to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Human Rights in North Sumatra requesting protection for the safety of TPL employees and workers.

When the conflict occurred at the end of September, Salomo stated that six TPL workers were injured and two company operational vehicles were burned, namely a patrol car and a fire truck.

In a press conference in Medan, Tuesday (23/9/2025), the Director of PT Toba Pulp Lestari, Jandres Halomoan Silalahi, stated that they essentially have the intention to resolve agrarian conflicts in their area of work.

"To be honest, we from the company do not wish for any conflict. Therefore, if it can be resolved, we would be very pleased. If a conflict occurs, it will disrupt our long-term planning," said Jandres.

Jandres stated that they are working to establish communication with the community both in writing and verbally. "We hope to find a win-win solution in the future," said Jandres.