61-Year-Old Grandfather in Banten Sentenced to Two Years' Imprisonment for Felling Kecapi Tree

A 61-year-old grandfather, Amirudin, from Cimanggu District in Pandeglang Regency, Banten, has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment over the illegal felling of a kecapi tree in Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK). The judicial panel found Amir guilty of his actions.

“The court declares that the defendant Amirudin, alias Amir, has been proven beyond reasonable doubt to be guilty of participating in the illegal extraction of living resources naturally occurring in a nature conservation area,” ruled the panel of judges at Pandeglang District Court, as cited from the Pandeglang District Court Information System, Wednesday 11 March 2026, reported by detikNews.

“The court hereby sentences the defendant to two years’ imprisonment,” the ruling continued.

Amir was also fined 10 million rupiah. Should the fine not be paid, it will be converted into one month of prison time.

“A fine of 10 million rupiah, with the provision that should the fine not be paid, it will be converted to one month of imprisonment,” stated the court decision.

The case began in June 2025, when the defendant entered the TNUK area in Kubang Badak Block, Kopi National Park Resort, Zone III National Park Section Sumur, to fell a kecapi tree. The defendant intended to use the wood to renovate his house.

“The defendant stated that the wood was planned to be used to repair or renovate the kitchen roof of his house,” stated in the indictment.

The defendant then asked a witness to fell the tree using a chainsaw. After the tree fell, the witness cut the wood into several pieces.

However, whilst conducting this activity, their actions were discovered by officers on duty at the location. Both immediately stopped the cutting activity.

“When the defendant and witness Arsana were cutting the tree, officers from the Ujung Kulon National Park Authority arrived and instructed the defendant and witness Arsana to stop the activity,” stated the indictment.

As a result of the defendant’s actions, TNUK reported material losses of 500,000 rupiah. The defendant’s conduct is subject to the penalties prescribed under Article 78 paragraph (5) of Law No. 41 of 1999 on Forestry, Article 50 paragraph (3) letter e on Forestry, and Article 55 paragraph (1) clause 1 of the Criminal Code.

“Consequently, Ujung Kulon National Park suffered material losses valued at 504,000 rupiah,” stated the judicial panel.