Experts Deny Allegations That Oil Palm Plantations Cause Floods and Landslides in Sumatra Oil palm plantations are not the cause of the occurrence of flood disasters. Red: Erdy Nasrul

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Without in any way diminishing the deep sorrow over the flooding and landslides that claimed lives in Sumatra, a study and analysis of the causes of the disaster must be conducted with great care. Assumptions not based on accurate data will not only fail to offer effective solutions, but also have the potential to cause similar disasters to recur in the future, along with their subsequent negative impacts. This conclusion was presented by two experts from IPB University: Professor of Forestry Policy Prof. Sudarsono Soedomo and Head of the Palm Oil Study Center Prof. Budi Mulyanto. Both expressed regret over the overly hasty and simplistic perspectives that link the natural disaster solely to oil palm plantations. "I disagree with the accusation that the opening of forests for oil palm plantations is the cause of the flooding and landslides in Sumatra," said Prof. Budi Mulyanto when contacted by phone on Tuesday (2/12/2025). Prof. Budi Mulyanto even ...