Defence Minister and TNI Chief Affirm Commitment to Forest Area Regulation

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto accompanied Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to inspect the land of PT Asmin Koalindo Tuhup (AKT) in Murung Raya Regency, Central Kalimantan, on Tuesday (7/4). This visit also signified the handover of land control from the Forest Area Regulation Task Force (PKH) to the Attorney General’s Office, after it was previously seized in connection with alleged corruption in the mining sector.

The Head of Public Relations of the TNI’s Central Information Service, Colonel (Navy) Agung Saptoadi, emphasised the TNI’s commitment to supporting President Prabowo Subianto’s programme for regulating forest areas.

“The TNI is ready to synergise with all parties to ensure the regulation process runs safely, orderly, and provides legal certainty,” Agung stated in a written release on Thursday (9/4).

Agung explained that this step marks an escalation in the handling of the case, from mere administrative regulation to criminal law enforcement. The government reaffirms its commitment to reorganising the management of forest areas and natural resources to be more transparent, accountable, and optimally beneficial for the state.

In addition to ensuring security in the field, TNI’s involvement also aims to provide legal certainty for the investment climate in the natural resources sector. This forms part of a broader effort to restructure national forest governance.

“The TNI is ready to support efforts to improve the organisation and management of natural resources,” Agung said.

The inspection was attended by several high-ranking state officials, including Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Deputy Minister of Environment Diaz Hendropriyono, and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.