Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni says he is ready for evaluation by President Prabowo Subianto following resignation demands over floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. He asserts that he has not issued any forest logging permits in his one year in office. Criticism comes from DPR members highlighting failures in forest management.
On December 4, 2025, during a Commission IV DPR RI working meeting with Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni in Jakarta, DPR member Rahmat Saleh referenced the minister's deforestation data, showing declines in Sumatra and Aceh. Rahmat Saleh questioned the Ministry of Forestry's view that deforestation is not the main cause of floods. He mentioned two Filipino ministers resigning for failing to address similar floods, urging incapable ministers to step down.
Commission IV member from PKB faction, Usman Husin, also urged Raja Juli to resign if unable to manage forestry. Usman criticized the minister's inconsistency, such as issuing a logging permit in South Tapanuli on November 30, 2025, despite the regent's request for closure. "If Mr. Minister cannot manage forestry properly, it's better to resign," said Usman. He demanded reforestation plans and estimates for recovering damaged forests, which increase disaster risks for local communities.
Responding on December 5, 2025, at the Senayan Parliament Complex, Raja Juli asserted, "I have said, in one year as minister, I have not issued a single PBPH for logging. What I have issued is PBPH for environmental services or RE, ecosystem restoration." He described social media resignation demands as public aspirations over flood disappointments but is ready for evaluation, as power belongs to God and is the president's prerogative. "I believe power belongs to God and it's the president's prerogative. So I am ready to be evaluated," he stated.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Forestry and Polri uncovered initial findings of suspected illegal logging as a trigger for Sumatra floods.
