Government Investigates Alleged Deforestation Behind Guci Tegal Flash Floods
MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani has stated that the flash floods at the Guci tourist site in Tegal, Central Java, were suspected to have been caused by deforestation. In response, Cabinet Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the government would investigate the allegations thoroughly.
“We have asked the Ministry of Forestry to also conduct a review of the area surrounding the Guci tourist site in Tegal Regency,” Prasetyo said after a meeting with the DPR leadership at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (18/2/2026).
“We will look into the conditions there. It is similar to what happened in three provinces in Sumatra — the process is the same,” he added.
Prasetyo said regional governments had already deployed investigation teams. He confirmed that his office was maintaining coordination with local authorities regarding the incident.
“Investigation teams have already been established, both from the provincial government and the regency government. I have also been coordinating with them,” he said.
Alleged Deforestation
Previously, Ahmad Muzani inspected the condition of the Guci Tourist Site in Tegal, Central Java, following the flash floods. Muzani suspected that logging activities had worsened the impact of the disaster.
“This area is already upstream. But above it, heavier rainfall occurred, and it appears there has been logging,” Muzani said during his site inspection on Monday (16/2).
However, Muzani did not elaborate further on the allegations. He then urged concrete steps towards environmental rehabilitation to prevent future disasters.
The Tegal Regency Government, Muzani said, was coordinating with the Ministry of Forestry and Perhutani to carry out replanting of trees in water catchment areas.
“The plan is to replant on the mountain slopes, on the slopes of Mount Slamet, so that reforestation can take place,” Muzani said.
The Guci Tourist Site in Bumijawa District, Tegal Regency, was hit by flash floods on Saturday (20/12). The floods were caused by high-intensity rainfall that caused rivers to overflow.