Peaceful Protest at the North Sumatra High Prosecutor’s Office: A Voice for Orangutans and Forest Conservation

On Monday, September 4, 2023, various conservation organizations joined a peaceful protest in front of the North Sumatra High Prosecutor’s Office. FORINA, along with the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Forum (FOKUS), Orangutan Information Centre (YSOL-OIC), WALHI North Sumatra, Green Justice Indonesia, Centre for Orangutan Protection, Yayasan PETAI, and Yayasan Tangguh Hutan Khatulistiwa, raised deep concerns about the survival of orangutans and the future of Sumatra’s forest ecosystems.

Why This Protest Matters

This protest was not without reason. It was a response to the lenient sentence handed down by the judges to Terbit Rencana Perangin-angin, who was involved in environmental crimes. As a public official, the defendant should have upheld environmental conservation laws and recognized the importance of protecting nature. However, this light sentence reflects the weak enforcement of environmental laws in Indonesia. We fear that this decision could set a dangerous precedent, weakening future conservation efforts.

Why Orangutans Are Crucial to the Environment

Orangutans are not just a species in need of protection—they are key pillars of the forest ecosystem. Known as “gardeners of the forest,” they help disperse seeds from the fruits they eat across their roaming areas. This natural process supports forest regeneration, ensuring a sustainable ecosystem. Even a 1% loss in the orangutan population could disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. Without orangutans, forest regeneration would be hindered, ultimately impacting all species that rely on these forests, including humans.

Beyond that, orangutans are an umbrella species—protecting them means protecting countless other species that share their habitat. The loss of orangutans would have systemic consequences, further destabilizing an already fragile ecosystem and worsening environmental destruction.

A Call for Stronger Law Enforcement

This peaceful protest was a demand for stronger law enforcement in cases of environmental crimes. We are not just seeking justice for nature, but also for future generations who have the right to inherit healthy and sustainable forests. Strict law enforcement is a critical step in protecting orangutans and ensuring the survival of Sumatra’s forests.

By protecting orangutans, we are securing the future of forests and all living beings that depend on them—including ourselves. This protest was not just a demonstration but a call to action for a better future for all.