Forest Protection Task Force Calculates Administrative Penalties for Mineral Trobos Mining Company
The Forest Protection Task Force (Satgas PKH) is currently calculating administrative penalties for PT Mineral Trobos, a nickel mining company owned by businessman David Glen Oei, based in Jakarta.
The task force previously sealed the company’s operational areas following allegations of illegal mining activities in protected forest regions in North Maluku Province.
“The forest area illegally controlled by the company has been reclaimed with the placement of warning signage. Subsequently, administrative penalties resulting from the unlawful occupation will be calculated,” said Satgas PKH spokesperson Barita Simanjuntak in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.
According to available information, Mineral Trobos was penalised with trillions of rupiah for illegal mining across hundreds of hectares. Recently, the penalty has reportedly been reduced to tens of billions of rupiah.
When asked about the change in the penalty amount for Mineral Trobos, Barita stated that the task force had not released official information regarding the administrative penalty amount. “Official information is only released by the task force’s media team and spokesperson,” he said.
He assured that the task force operates authentically, objectively, factually, scientifically and in accordance with established work procedures and oversight mechanisms.
“Periodically, the task force also reports to the public regarding its performance achievements, including the reclamation of forest areas, penalty payments, and detailed information and identities of companies involved,” said Barita.
Meanwhile, former KPK investigator Yudi Purnomo Harahap stated that the Forest Protection Task Force must coordinate with the KPK in following up on the seizure of Mineral Trobos’s land. This is because KPK investigators previously questioned David Glen Oei regarding alleged money laundering charges related to a case involving former North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba in October 2024.
“Coordination is necessary because the seizure of Mineral Trobos constitutes the initial stage of a criminal prosecution process, whether against individuals or corporations,” said Yudi.
Given the allegations of mining in protected forest areas, Yudi urged the task force to fully resolve the case, not merely sealing Mineral Trobos’s land in North Maluku. Instead, he urged a thorough investigation into all individuals suspected of involvement in the illegal forest mining practices. According to him, efforts to recover state losses resulting from illegal practices must be prioritised.
“The task force must act swiftly to resolve this case to serve as a deterrent. This includes uncovering the alleged involvement of individuals in forest mining operations to date,” Yudi said.
In a separate statement, when asked about Mineral Trobos’s sealed operational areas, David Glen Oei said he had been retired from managing the company for four years.
“I now focus on social, religious, and football matters. As for football, I am knowledgeable,” said David, who is also the owner of the Malut United football club.
The Forest Protection Task Force was established through Presidential Regulation Number 5 of 2025, issued by President Prabowo Subianto two months after his inauguration.
The task force is responsible for inspecting and enforcing compliance regarding natural resource-based business activities, ranging from forestry and plantations to mining.