Case File Complete, Illegal Logging Case in Karawang Ready for Trial
The West Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara Forestry Law Enforcement Agency handed over the suspect and evidence (Phase II) of the criminal case involving unauthorized occupation and use of forest areas related to the misuse of social forestry areas in Karawang Regency, West Java, to the Public Prosecutor at the Karawang District Attorney’s Office.
Phase II was carried out after the case file was declared complete (P-21) based on the letter from the Karawang District Attorney’s Office Number B-644/M.2.26/Eku.1/02/2026 dated February 4, 2026.
The Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, emphasized that handling this case is part of a national policy to ensure that the social forestry program runs on track and that forest areas are not infiltrated by illegal activities that damage the environment and harm the community. Social forestry is a state policy to strengthen the welfare of communities around forests legally and sustainably.
Therefore, any deviations that use social forestry areas as a cover for illegal activities must be addressed.
“We will continue to strengthen the protection of the area with more intensive supervision, strengthening the role of the Forestry Police, improving the capacity of PPNS, and involving the community as a supervisory partner. What we protect is the authority of state policy, the rights of farmer groups who comply with the rules, and the sustainability of forest functions,” said Dwi Januanto, Thursday (26/2).
He explained that this case is a follow-up to the handling of reports from the public and a series of law enforcement operations carried out by the Jabalnusra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Agency in November 2025. The team found alleged misuse of production forest areas in the social forestry scheme in the working area of Perum Perhutani RPH Pinayungan and RPH Wanakerta, BKPH Telukjambe, KPH Purwakarta, which were used for activities outside the provisions, including the accumulation/management of waste and used goods.
From the series of investigations, investigators named a suspect with the initials KM (58) and processed the case until the file was declared complete for prosecution. The suspect KM is suspected of violating Article 78 paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 50 paragraph (2) letter a of Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry as amended in Law Number 6 of 2023, with a maximum imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum fine of IDR 7.5 billion.
The Head of the Jabalnusra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, Aswin Bangun, emphasized that the declaration of the complete file and the implementation of Phase II showed that the handling of the case was completed from the investigation to the prosecution process.
“P-21 and Phase II mark that the construction of the case, evidence, and evidence that we secured have met the standards of proof to be tested in court. Our focus on the investigation is not just to stop activities at the location, but to build a strong case—locking in the role of the controller, the pattern of activities, and the form of use of forest areas without permission. We consistently carry out law enforcement like this so that there is legal certainty and a deterrent effect, as well as preventing similar patterns from recurring in other locations,” said Aswin. (H-1)