Forest Law Enforcement Agency Designates Suspect in Illegal Timber Case in Sulawesi
Investigators from the Forest Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkumhut) Sulawesi Region have designated a mixed forest timber owner with initials H (44) as a suspect in an illegal timber circulation case. This designation represents a development in the investigation into the thwarted transportation of timber lacking proper documentation that occurred in January 2026.
Head of the Gakkumhut Sulawesi Region Branch Ali Bahri stated that the suspect was designated after investigators examined the ownership of hundreds of timber logs secured by officers. The timber had previously been transported from Beteleme Village, North Morowali District, Central Sulawesi, towards South Sulawesi.
According to Ali Bahri, during the suspect’s examination, he acknowledged ownership of the mixed forest timber confiscated during the enforcement operation. However, the suspect claimed to be unaware of the origins of the Certificate of Validity of Forest Product Timber Processing (SKSHHKO) documents found by officers and which are suspected to be fraudulent.
Investigators are currently tracing individuals allegedly involved in providing such documents. The investigation is being deepened to uncover the network involved in the circulation of forest products without proper documentation.
“The designation of the suspect is part of efforts to enforce the law against illegal timber circulation. The handling of the case is not only targeting perpetrators in the field, but also those allegedly behind the activities,” Ali Bahri stated.
The case originated from enforcement action by the Forest Police Rapid Response Unit (SPORC), which secured hundreds of mixed forest timber logs being transported using two trucks in South Sulawesi. In this case, investigators had previously designated two suspects with initials Y (27) and F (30) who acted as field operatives.
Based on preliminary examinations, the timber transportation is suspected to have been carried out on the direction of an individual. Investigators subsequently expanded the investigation, ultimately revealing the identity of the timber owner now designated as the suspect.
For his actions, the suspect is charged with violating Article 83 paragraph (1) letter b in conjunction with Article 12 letter e and/or Article 88 paragraph (1) letter b in conjunction with Article 14 of Law Number 18 of 2013 on Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023 on Job Creation in conjunction with Article 20 of the Criminal Code.
Under these provisions, the suspect faces a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to IDR 2.5 billion.