Forest Encroachment of 2,000 Hectares in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, Suspected for Oil Palm Plantation
The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has discovered forest encroachment within the Sungai Tengar–Pesaguan Production Forest area in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, which is suspected to be intended for palm oil plantations. The case has now proceeded to the investigation stage following a joint operation conducted between 28 June and 1 July 2026.
During the operation, the team discovered approximately 2,000 hectares of forest area suspected to have been occupied and used without permission. Officers also secured several pieces of evidence, including three excavators, one dump truck, one seedling transport vehicle, and two worker housing structures.
“These findings indicate activities involving the clearing, occupation, and use of forest areas suspected to be directed towards palm oil plantations,” stated the Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Forestry, Dwi Janutanto Nugroho, in a statement on Wednesday (8/7/2026).
Dwi mentioned that all evidence has been handed over to the Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) of Forestry Law Enforcement for further study. Based on the collection of materials and information, as well as a case review conducted alongside the Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) and Public Prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office, the case has been declared to meet the elements of a forestry crime, thus escalating it to the investigation stage.
Dwi emphasised that the Ketapang case serves as a reminder that pressure on forest areas remains a real threat and must be met with strengthened supervision at the ground level.
“When heavy machinery enters, worker buildings are erected, seedlings are prepared, and areas begin to be occupied, we are not dealing with a minor violation. This concerns efforts to convert forest areas into plantations without right and without a legal process. Therefore, legal action in this case is part of strengthening the supervision and regulation of forest areas to prevent widespread damage,” said Dwi.
The Director of Forestry Criminal Enforcement, Rudianto Saragih Napitu, explained that the investigation will not only focus on the perpetrators on the ground. He stated that law enforcement is also directed towards uncovering the entire chain of activities and the parties responsible behind the clearing of the forest area.
Currently, Forestry Law Enforcement investigators are conducting witness examinations, seizure of evidence, crime scene processing, and further investigation into the parties suspected of playing a role in these activities.
“Perpetrators proven to have committed forestry crimes can face a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to category VI,” said Rudianto.