Reflection on Indonesia’s deforestation: synthesising factors from The New Order and Reformation Eras (1967–2023)

Deforestation remains a significant challenge for humanity and the environment, particularly in the tropics. Indonesia, the world’s third-largest tropical forest country, continues to face challenges related to deforestation. This study aims to inventory the factors contributing to deforestation in Indonesia since the New Order and the Reformation Eras through a systematic literature review of 86 journal articles from the Scopus database on deforestation in Indonesia. The results indicate differences in the main characteristics of deforestation between the New Order and the Reformation Eras. However, two basic factors persist in both Eras: 1) pervasive corruption and collusion, and 2) the bureaucratic system which shaped the authorities’ attitudes in policy formulation. Consequently, regions with relatively undisturbed forest resources remain at risk of exploitation driven by short-term interests, with insufficient regard for long-term forest sustainability.