{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1723882,
        "msgid": "illegal-gold-mine-in-matalawa-national-park-sumba-dismantled-3-people-named-as-suspects-1778148983",
        "date": "2026-05-07 15:22:04",
        "title": "Illegal Gold Mine in Matalawa National Park, Sumba, Dismantled; 3 People Named as Suspects",
        "author": "",
        "source": "DETIK_BALI",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Mining",
        "summary": "Police in East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, have dismantled an illegal gold mining operation within the protected Matalawa National Park, arresting three suspects aged 30 to 35. The operation involved simple open-pit methods using pans to extract gold particles from soil and rocks, conducted without permits in a conservation area. Authorities have seized evidence including tools and documents, charging the suspects under laws on forest protection and mineral mining, underscoring efforts to curb environmental damage from illicit activities.",
        "content": "<p>East Sumba Police in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have dismantled an\nillegal gold mining operation in the conservation area of Matalawa\nNational Park, East Sumba. Three individuals have been named as\nsuspects: KHM (31), AN (35), and RU (30).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe development of the illegal gold mining case without a permit\n(PETI) has progressed to investigation and the naming of three people as\nsuspects,\u201d said East Sumba Police Chief AKBP Gede Harimbawa to detikBali\non Thursday (7\/5\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>Gede explained that the illegal mining occurred on Tuesday, 9\nDecember 2025, in the Laku Lalandak River, Laironja Hamlet, Wanggameti\nVillage, Matawai La Pawu Subdistrict, East Sumba Regency. The location\nfalls within the Matalawa National Park conservation area.<\/p>\n<p>According to Gede, the naming of the suspects follows a police report\nfiled by a resident with initials SNA on 10 December 2025. Based on the\ninvestigation and interrogation conducted, investigators from the\nCriminal Investigation Unit of East Sumba Police have officially named\nKHM, AN, and RU as suspects.<\/p>\n<p>From the interrogation results, it was revealed that KHM, AN, and RU\ncarried out mining activities without permission in the protected forest\narea using simple or open mining methods, by digging soil and rock\nmaterials, then panning with pans to obtain gold particles.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe activity was carried out without permission from the\nauthorities. Therefore, it is called illegal mining,\u201d said Gede.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the three suspects, police have also secured several\npieces of evidence, including three head torches, one digging iron, and\nfive pans. Additionally, supporting documents regarding the forest area\nstatus, such as regional regulations on spatial planning and a\nministerial decree equipped with a map of the protected forest area.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe main goal of the suspects was to obtain gold and sell it for\npersonal needs,\u201d revealed Gede.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, KHM, AN, and RU are charged under Article 89 Paragraph (1)\nletter a of Law No.\u00a018 of 2013 on the Prevention and Eradication of\nForest Destruction as amended in Law No.\u00a06 of 2023, Article 78 Paragraph\n(6) of Law No.\u00a041 of 1999 on Forestry as amended in Law No.\u00a06 of 2023,\nand Article of Law No.\u00a04 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining as last\namended by Law No.\u00a02 of 2025.<\/p>\n<p>He emphasised that East Sumba Police will firmly address all forms of\nillegal mining activities, especially those in protected forest areas.\nBecause such actions can damage the environment and violate the law.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe legal process against the suspects is still ongoing and will be\nhandled professionally in accordance with applicable legal provisions,\u201d\nconcluded Gede.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/illegal-gold-mine-in-matalawa-national-park-sumba-dismantled-3-people-named-as-suspects-1778148983",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}