ISTANBUL

The Indonesian Environment Ministry has filed lawsuits against six companies accused of causing damage to the environment linked to severe flooding in Sumatra, seeking nearly $283.9 million for compensation.

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said on Friday that the alleged environmental degradation caused by the companies contributed to the flooding and landslides in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh between November and December 2025.

The government is seeking to pursue legal action against parties deemed responsible while continuing the post-disaster reconstruction efforts in affected areas, Hanif said, according to the Jakarta Globe.

“Yesterday, we filed civil lawsuits amounting to Rp 4.8 trillion (nearly $283.9 million) against six companies,” Hanif told reporters, without specifying the names of the companies.

He added that the government is also probing more than 200 other firms that may have contributed to environmental damage and could face additional lawsuits, with possible criminal charges being considered.

Indonesia is prone to flash floods and landslides during the rainy season due to heavy rainfall and vulnerable terrain.

Floods that have hit Indonesia’s Sumatra Island since late November have left at least 1,190 people dead, with 141 others still missing, and displaced thousands, according to disaster agency data.