BOSF reaffirms commitment to protecting Samboja Lestari conservation land

Balikpapan (ANTARA) - The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) has reaffirmed its commitment to defending the land rights of the Samboja Lestari conservation area in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, against all forms of encroachment and illegal transfer of rights.

BOSF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Aldrianto Priadjati expressed his appreciation for the conclusion of all legal processes regarding the land encroachment case in Amborawang Darat Village, Samboja District, following the execution of convict Marten Bauk to the Tenggarakan Correctional Institution (Lapas).

“The Supreme Court’s cassation decision proves legally that the land which is the object of the case belongs to the BOS Foundation. The convict was found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment,” Aldrianto stated in Balikpapan on Saturday.

The case has reached permanent legal force (inkracht) after undergoing judicial processes since 2022.

The convict was proven to have violated Article 385, paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code regarding land encroachment and the unlawful seizure of land rights.

Following the verdict, the Kutai Kartanegara District Attorney’s Office has carried out the detention execution of the convict in accordance with applicable legal provisions.

Aldrianto recounted that the BOS Foundation field team discovered suspected transactions involving the unauthorised transfer of rights to the Samboja Lestari land on 16 March 2022.

BOSF subsequently reported the incident to the Samboja Police on 7 April 2022. The case progressed through the Tenggarong District Court, the Samarinda High Court, and finally to the Cassation level at the Supreme Court.

This legal certainty, Aldrianto continued, serves as an important reminder that all of BOSF’s conservation land management activities are based on valid legal documents.

He urged the public to always verify the status, legality, and land rights before conducting transactions to avoid potential legal violations in the future.

“As a conservation organisation, we are committed to conducting our activities responsibly and transparently. We continue to coordinate with stakeholders to ensure that wildlife protection activities proceed well while respecting legal certainty,” he said.