PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro) reaffirms its commitment to operationalizing the 3-Year Action Plan, developed in collaboration with stakeholders including Cipta Rukun Upaya (CRU), EcoNusantara (ENS), Nastari Nusantara, and Relawan untuk Orang dan Alam (ROA). This initiative aims to strengthen the Company’s standards in the implementation of sustainability policies.
The action plan serves as a response to the concerns articulated by the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) and Friends of the Earth (FoE) regarding three subsidiaries of AALI: PT Agro Nusa Abadi (ANA), PT Mamuang (MMG), and PT Lestari Tani Teladan (LTT).
Arief Wicaksono, Director of Cipta Rukun Upaya, highlighted that achieving conflict resolution necessitates significant time investment. He emphasized that a thorough assessment of the conflict and clarity regarding its specific points are essential for effectively managing disputes.
“This represents a progressive step taken by Astra Agro, signifying a robust commitment to respecting Human Rights (HAM) through due diligence training, which is being initiated for not only the entities in question but also across all business operations,” stated Arief.
He noted that Astra Agro is pioneering in the palm oil sector by examining policies aimed at mitigating risks related to human rights violations or Human Rights Due Diligence. The incorporation of this focus into their action plan reflects Astra Agro’s optimism regarding this commitment. In collaboration with CRU Indonesia, Astra Agro has initiated comprehensive training on Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) as part of the agreed Action Plan.
Additionally, Astra Agro has partnered with Nastari Nusantara to enhance community awareness and empowerment. To fortify the capacity of women’s groups, Astra Agro has collaborated with the civil society organization Relawan untuk Orang dan Alam (ROA). Furthermore, with the guidance of ENS, Astra Agro has released a progress report detailing the first year of implementation of the 3-Year Action Plan, prepared in response to the independent verification report by ENS.
The development of this action plan successfully incorporates the recommendations from the ENS report, involving active consultations with key stakeholders, including academics, local community representatives, and village officials. This collaborative process aims to ensure transparency and uphold the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Sahari, Director of Astra Agro Lestari Bandung, noted that the implementation of the Action Plan over the past year has encountered several challenges. These challenges include overlapping land claims, which may provoke horizontal conflicts among communities, and the complexities surrounding site-level issues. Therefore, Astra Agro calls for collaboration among all parties to develop constructive solutions.
“In executing the action plan, Astra Agro prioritizes measurable outcomes, inclusive engagement, and sustainable collaboration, as we believe that mutual cooperation and data sharing are vital for addressing complaints,” emphasized Bandung.
Despite encountering obstacles, Astra Agro remains committed to resolving every complaint reported. Bandung highlighted the necessity of constructive engagement from all parties through open dialogue and the provision of concrete evidence to Astra Agro and stakeholders.
Eko Cahyono, a researcher at the Sajogyo Institute, affirmed that collaboration is essential for effective resolution, stressing that such collaboration must be substantive rather than merely procedural. “The principal requirement is to convene and articulate community needs,” he remarked. For Eko Cahyono, the success of resolutions hinges on several elements, including leadership, approach, and effective communication to ensure that all stakeholders feel compelled to collaborate and reach agreements.
Zulfahmi, Chief Executive Officer of ENS, stated that Astra Agro has made a strong commitment to execute the proposed action plan aimed at conflict resolution prior to implementation. The latest progress report indicates that a multi-stakeholder dialogue has successfully occurred, marking a significant achievement in the first year of the plan’s execution. This dialogue facilitated interactions among community representatives, local NGOs, and local government officials in February and May 2025 in Palu and is regarded as a pivotal moment in fostering understanding towards a long-term resolution.
Astra Agro has adopted an approach prioritizing active engagement and collaboration, engaging with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and international stakeholders through various meetings held in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.
Astra Agro has achieved significant milestones through the implementation of its action plans across its three subsidiaries. For instance, PT LTT has effectively addressed community needs in Towiora Village by providing 1.2 hectares of designated public burial land and has completed the associated infrastructure development, which is now operational.
Furthermore, the company conducts funeral training in partnership with local Islamic boarding schools and extends support to community places of worship.
In terms of environmental stewardship, PT LTT consistently engages in regular monitoring of air, water, and soil quality, involving local residents and independent laboratories in this process. According to the verification report, the laboratory results indicate compliance with all applicable environmental standards, as affirmed by Bandung Sahari.
In addition, PT Mamuang has adopted a dialogue-based approach to collaborate with local community leaders in the development of a sustainable agriculture training program, specifically focusing on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for the Sinar Rio Jaya Farmers Group.
Moreover, PT ANA employs a participatory method by facilitating open dialogue forums that engage local residents, village officials, and community leaders to foster resolutions that promote peaceful coexistence based on mutual understanding.
Bandung Sahari emphasizes that in a dynamic and sensitive social context, the company prioritizes transparency and empathy as fundamental principles in fostering social harmony. Astra Agro is committed to maintaining open dialogues and constructively inviting all stakeholders to collaboratively seek solutions. “Through the principle of openness, Astra Agro maintains that continuous improvement can only be realized through broad participation and shared accountability,” concluded Bandung Sahari.
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