Public censure of PT Bakrie Sumatera Plantations TBK by THE RSPO Board of Governors

Kuala Lumpur, 28 October 2024: The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Board of Governors hereby issues a public censure against PT Bakrie Sumatera Plantations Tbk (PT BSP), (RSPO membership no.: 1-0036-07-000-00), for resigning from its membership while an active complaint was pending against the company.

This decision was taken by way of consensus upon considering the recommendation by the RSPO Complaints Panel, pursuant to Section 7.1.18 of the RSPO Complaints and Appeals Procedures 2017 (CAP). The RSPO Board of Governors notes that PT BSP decided to resign  from its RSPO membership amidst the investigation phase of the Complaints process, following the finalisation of the Terms of Reference (ToR) and the selection of the Independent Investigator for the Independent Investigation. PT BSP had only informed the Secretariat of their resignation after they had been informed of the Independent Investigator selected for the Independent Investigation.

PT BSP demonstrated unsatisfactory engagement throughout the complaint’s process by  failing to meet deadlines and failing to respond promptly to procedural requirements, as set out in Section 7 of the Complaint Panel’s decision letter (in English / Bahasa Indonesia) dated 26 August 2024. 

Consequently, PT BSP was found to be in breach of Section 2.3 of the RSPO Code of Conduct for Members 2022 and subsequently terminated by the Complaints Panel, pursuant to Section 7.1.15.5 of the CAP and Section 8(d) of the RSPO Statutes 2020.
The Board of Governors does not approve of the unsatisfactory engagement by PT BSP, particularly given that the RSPO, through Resolution GA15-6D, is exploring ways to discourage divestments and resignation by members in the course of an active complaint. The Board of Governors wishes to remind all existing and potential members to respect the Complaints System and the goals of the organisation. Members are encouraged to work together with the RSPO Secretariat towards remedying shortcomings (if any), as opposed to resigning from their membership, especially in the course of an active complaint.