Minister Raja Juli was urged to resign by Member of Commission IV DPR RI, Usman Husin

Viralterkini.id, Jakarta – Member of Commission IV DPR RI, Usman Husin, asked the Minister of Forestry (Menhut), Raja Juli Antoni to resign from his position. He considered that Raja Juli was unable to overcome forest problems.

“If the Minister is unable to manage forestry properly, it is better to resign,” he said at the DPR Commission IV Working Meeting with the Minister of Forestry in Jakarta, Thursday (4/12/2025).

He added that Raja Juli had no understanding of forests in Indonesia. “The Minister doesn’t seem to fully understand forestry issues,” he said.

Usman also questioned how long it would take to repair the forest area. Because, he said, the trees that were carried away by the swift flood were very large and had been planted for a long time. “Trees with a diameter of two meters cannot grow back in a short time,” he explained.

He emphasized that the forest damage that occurred was the responsibility of the minister currently in office. “That is the responsibility of the current minister. Don’t put it on the previous government,” he said.

This National Awakening Party politician also highlighted Minister Raja Juli’s statement which was not in line with the policies taken.

He gave an example of inconsistencies that occurred in the issuance of permits in the South Tapanuli area. Usman said that the Regent of South Tapanuli had recommended closing and monitoring certain permits. However, on November 30 2025, the ministry will still issue new permits.

“The Minister’s statement is not in line with the decisions made. All of this is related to trees and forests, but it seems as if we at Commission IV can be tricked. This cannot be allowed,” he said.

Usman also asked the Minister to pay serious attention to forest destruction in three provinces which he said were experiencing severe degradation. He demanded an explanation regarding the reforestation plan, time to restore the area, as well as concrete steps to restore deforested forests.

Apart from that, he emphasized that forest destruction has a major impact on disasters and the lives of people around the area. (ma)