Indonesia revokes 28 firms' permits, says violations worsened flood impact

The death toll from cyclone-induced floods and landslides, which destroyed houses and forced people into evacuation centers in Sumatra in late November, was 1,200 with 143 people missing and about 114,000 people evacuated, according to official data.

"President decided to revoke the permits of 28 companies found guilty of violations. 22 companies in forest utilization sector covering 1.01 million hectares (2.47 million acres) and 6 companies in mining and plantation," presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi said.

The Indonesian environment ministry said last week it had filed a civil lawsuit against six companies suspected of causing massive environmental damage in North Sumatra province.

The companies allegedly damaged an area covering 2,516 hectares.