Indonesia imposes moratorium on palm oil plantations 

In September 2018 President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo of the Republic of Indonesia has signed a moratorium on all new palm oil plantation development and ordered a review of existing plantations. The moratorium is to improve the governance of sustainable palm oil plantations, provide legal certainty, increase the productivity of smallholder palm oil plantations, maintain environmental sustainability and contribute to the reduction in greenhouse gases. The moratorium will last three years.

In this presidential instruction, ministers and regional administrations are instructed to halt the issuance of new permits for palm oil plantations. All central and provincial governments, including governors, mayors and district chiefs were ordered to re-evaluate permits.

Smallholders account for about 40 percent of Indonesia's palm oil output. The Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (GAPKI) deputy chairman Togar Sitanggang said GAPKI has ensured that each of its member obeyed the law and prevented further environmental damages.