Advisory to Buyers and Investors of Royal Golden Eagle / Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (RGE/APRIL)

WWF-Indonesia considers Royal Golden Eagle/Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (RGE/APRIL)’s entry into the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Remedy Framework as the cornerstone of credibility for the company’s future. This process, which began in November 2023 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between APRIL and FSC,[i]^,[ii] is a significant and positive development. It represents APRIL’s first formal commitment to address past deforestation and social harms through a globally recognized and credible process that, if properly implemented, could enable the company to regain eligibility for FSC certification.

At the time of this advisory, APRIL remains in the Baseline Assessment stage of the Remedy process. While this is still an early step that does not yet constitute demonstrated progress, WWF views the Framework as providing a clear pathway for APRIL to deliver restorative and remedial actions that are measurable, independently verified, and impactful.

At the same time, NGOs and media continue to report serious allegations of ongoing deforestation and social conflict linked to APRIL, RGE, and its wider supply chain. These concerns focus on companies that, while not openly acknowledged as part of RGE, are alleged to be secretly connected to the group and continue destructive practices. Cases still under FSC investigation include:

• Mayawana Persada and PT. Asia Forestama Raya, alleged to have ties to RGE and implicated in large-scale deforestation in orangutan habitat (2022–2023).[iii]
• Asia Symbol in China, reported to be part of the RGE group and documented as sourcing timber from deforested tropical forests in Kalimantan.[iv]

Ind addition, there have been recent reports of violent clashes involving PT. Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) workers and Indigenous communities in North Sumatra.[v] While the full facts of these events remain to be clarified, they represent serious incidents that merit thorough and independent investigation. Such cases highlight the importance of ensuring that the FSC Remedy Framework, which is explicitly designed to address both environmental and social harms, is applied comprehensively, including respect for Indigenous rights and the prevention of further violent conflict.

Against this backdrop, WWF welcomes APRIL’s engagement in the FSC Remedy Framework as a positive step forward. However, confidence in the company will depend on how fully and credibly this process is implemented. Restoration and conservation pledges must translate into tangible outcomes, independently verified and covering all suppliers.

WWF’s standing position is to recommend sourcing and investment based only on FSC-certified products, as the most credible guarantee of responsible forest management. This remains the benchmark while APRIL’s progress within the Remedy Framework is evaluated.

WWF, together with local NGOs in the Eyes on the Forest coalitions in Sumatra and Kalimantan, will continue to monitor RGE suppliers’ operations and inform the public at www.eyesontheforest.or.id.

For more information, kindly contact to:

• Nur Maliki Arifiandi, nmarifiandi@wwf.id