International Brief: Indonesian Kratom Export vs. Domestic Ban Dynamics & Indigenous Rights

In Indonesia, kratom is currently regulated as an export commodity, yet it remains outlawed for domestic use among Indonesians. This creates a complex situation for the Dayak Kalis indigenous people of Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan, for whom kratom is deeply embedded in their environment, traditional medicine, and a recent source of income. The Indonesian government's ambivalent approach—forbidding local consumption and threatening a ban on one hand, while regulating it for trade and acknowledging its economic importance on the other—clashes with centuries-old traditional attitudes toward medicinal plants.

A report, 'Governing Kratom from an Indigenous Peoples’ Perspective,' published by Indonesia’s Community Legal Aid Institute (LBHM) in 2025, delves into the traditional relationship the Dayak Kalis people have with kratom and the intricate legal challenges surrounding its status as both an economic commodity and a target in the 'war on drugs' mentality. Researchers highlight that 'indigenous peoples are the actors who best understand the functions, values, and risks of kratom, yet they are the least involved in policy formulation. The State positions kratom as an object of economic interest and legal control, whereas for indigenous peoples, kratom is part of an ecological landscape, a knowledge system, and a livelihood strategy passed down through generations.'

They further note, 'The State primarily views kratom as an export commodity: valuable when traded, yet viewed with suspicion when embedded in local practices of use.' This modern cultural perspective often sees nature as something to be controlled or banished, particularly psychoactive plants, contrasting with indigenous cultures that view humans as an integral part of nature. The report draws parallels with coca tea in South America, consumed openly, versus its derivative cocaine, which is banned but abused in North America. Researchers advocate that 'indigenous voices can serve as an antithesis to outdated war-on-drugs policies and can encourage national leaders to adopt bolder positions in governing narcotics based on evidence.'

The concept of customary land, collectively owned by indigenous communities, exists in Indonesia. However, state law often treats these lands as state-controlled forests unless communities navigate a complex and often inaccessible process for official recognition. This disparity between lived reality and legal status leaves many indigenous communities with insecure land rights, further complicating their relationship with kratom and government policies.

Source: Kratom Science via Sentinel Newsroom