SUBJECT
On 16 May 2022, Mighty Earth released the Rapid Response Report 39. The report claimed that between April 2021 and March 2022, a total of 340 ha of forest (indicative HCS) was cleared inside PT SSS’s concession. In the same report, there was also allegation made related to forest clearing by PT Usaha Sawit Unggul (PT USU) in the same period.
According to the Mighty Earth report, PT TKWL is linked to PT SSS and PT USU. In a revised report, Mighty Earth also claimed that two other companies [PT Asia Sawit Lestari (PT ASL) and PT Prima Mas Lestari (PT PML)] is linked to PT SSS. Meanwhile, other allegations state that PT USU is owned by a company that has links to PT SSS and TKWL.
PROGRESS
May 2022
Apical seek clarification from PT TKWL as our supplier regarding the issue and the link between the company and PT SSS as well as PT USU.
PT TKWL clarified that the company is not associated to PT SSS and PT USU. They also informed that they never purchased or received any FFB from PT SSS and PT USU.
Apical also reached out to PT ASL and PT PML for their feedback regarding the alleged link to PT SSS and PT USU. Both companies denied the allegation and informed that they are not associated to PT SSS or USU.
October 2022
Apical carried out further engagement with PT TKWL. It was further clarified that there are no links between TKWL and PT SSS as well as PT USU. An official letter from PT TKWL to reflect this point can be found here.
Apical will continue ensure all FFB must come from traceable and NDPE compliant sources.
March 2023
Based on Apical’s internal investigation through information obtained from the Direktorat Jenderal Administrasi Hukum Umum, there are no common directors, commissioners or majority shareholders between PT. TKWL as compared to SSS, USU, PML and ASL.
September 2024
Apical reached out to Mighty Earth and its customers who enquired regarding this grievance case to clarify that based on Apical’s internal investigations and evidence obtained from the Direktorat Jenderal Administrasi Hukum Umum that there is no common linkages between PT. TKWL as compared to SSS, USU, PML and ASL.
July 2025
Based on Apical’s deforestation monitoring partners’ independent analysis, as of March 2023:
- There are no common majority or minority shareholdings between TKWL, SSS and USU
- There are no common management personnel between TKWL, SSS and USU
- There are no common registered addresses between TKWL, SSS and USU
Based on Apical’s investigation and external 3rd party findings there are no linkages between TKWL, SSS and USU.
We consider this case closed.
