House Commission IV Demands Forestry Ministry Investigate Alleged Logging at Guci
MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani has suggested that the flash floods at the Guci Tourist Resort in Tegal, Central Java, were likely caused by forest logging. Deputy Chairman of House Commission IV, Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, has called on the Ministry of Forestry to follow up on the allegations.
"We are asking the Ministry of Forestry to follow up on what the MPR Speaker has conveyed," Abdul told reporters on Wednesday (18/2/2026).
Abdul confirmed that his office had also received similar reports. "We have received similar reports," he said.
Separately, Commission IV member Daniel Johan expressed deep concern over the flash floods caused by hydrometeorological disasters striking several areas, including Guci in Tegal. He noted that the flash floods at Guci had caused both material and environmental damage.
"We express our deep concern over the surge in hydrometeorological disasters occurring in recent times. The flash floods at Guci, Tegal, have not only caused material losses but also serious environmental damage," Daniel said.
He explained that one of the key factors behind the flash floods was the degradation of forest cover. According to him, someone must be held accountable for the reduction in water absorption capacity caused by tree felling.
"We agree that one of the primary factors is the degradation of forest cover. Trees that have long served as water catchment areas continue to diminish. This is a shared concern and there must be parties held accountable for the forest destruction that has occurred," he explained.
He urged the Ministry of Forestry to follow up on findings of alleged tree felling in forests that has impacted the environment. His office will also undertake detailed mapping of forest areas over the past ten years to identify regions that have experienced deforestation.
"Commission IV of the House of Representatives takes note of MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani's statement regarding alleged logging in the Guci forest area. There needs to be deeper investigation and direct monitoring of forest conditions upstream. We will request detailed data and maps of forest areas, including changes in forest cover over the past ten years across Indonesia, the timing of degradation, and which areas have experienced deforestation. This data can be traced objectively through satellite imagery and technical reports from the relevant ministries," he explained.
"We will push the Ministry of Forestry to follow up on these findings seriously, including law enforcement if violations are found. In addition, Commission IV is also pushing for the acceleration of national reforestation and forest rehabilitation programmes, which should even be made a national priority programme. Forests and trees are our shared future, as well as our primary defence against climate crises and environmental disasters going forward," he continued.
Previously, Ahmad Muzani had inspected the condition of the Guci Tourist Resort in Tegal, Central Java, following the flash floods. Muzani suspected that logging activities had worsened the impact of the disaster.
"This is actually already upstream. But above it, heavier rainfall occurred, and then it appears there has been logging," Muzani said while inspecting the site on Monday (16/2/2026).
However, Muzani did not elaborate further on the allegations. He then called for concrete steps towards environmental recovery to prevent future disasters.
The Tegal Regency Government, according to Muzani, is coordinating with the Ministry of Forestry and Perhutani (state forestry corporation) 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 again," Muzani said.
The Guci Tourist Resort in Bumijawa District, Tegal Regency, was struck by flash floods on Saturday (20/12/2025). The floods were caused by high-intensity rainfall that caused river flows to overflow.
"We are asking the Ministry of Forestry to follow up on what the MPR Speaker has conveyed," Abdul told reporters on Wednesday (18/2/2026).
Abdul confirmed that his office had also received similar reports. "We have received similar reports," he said.
Separately, Commission IV member Daniel Johan expressed deep concern over the flash floods caused by hydrometeorological disasters striking several areas, including Guci in Tegal. He noted that the flash floods at Guci had caused both material and environmental damage.
"We express our deep concern over the surge in hydrometeorological disasters occurring in recent times. The flash floods at Guci, Tegal, have not only caused material losses but also serious environmental damage," Daniel said.
He explained that one of the key factors behind the flash floods was the degradation of forest cover. According to him, someone must be held accountable for the reduction in water absorption capacity caused by tree felling.
"We agree that one of the primary factors is the degradation of forest cover. Trees that have long served as water catchment areas continue to diminish. This is a shared concern and there must be parties held accountable for the forest destruction that has occurred," he explained.
He urged the Ministry of Forestry to follow up on findings of alleged tree felling in forests that has impacted the environment. His office will also undertake detailed mapping of forest areas over the past ten years to identify regions that have experienced deforestation.
"Commission IV of the House of Representatives takes note of MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani's statement regarding alleged logging in the Guci forest area. There needs to be deeper investigation and direct monitoring of forest conditions upstream. We will request detailed data and maps of forest areas, including changes in forest cover over the past ten years across Indonesia, the timing of degradation, and which areas have experienced deforestation. This data can be traced objectively through satellite imagery and technical reports from the relevant ministries," he explained.
"We will push the Ministry of Forestry to follow up on these findings seriously, including law enforcement if violations are found. In addition, Commission IV is also pushing for the acceleration of national reforestation and forest rehabilitation programmes, which should even be made a national priority programme. Forests and trees are our shared future, as well as our primary defence against climate crises and environmental disasters going forward," he continued.
Previously, Ahmad Muzani had inspected the condition of the Guci Tourist Resort in Tegal, Central Java, following the flash floods. Muzani suspected that logging activities had worsened the impact of the disaster.
"This is actually already upstream. But above it, heavier rainfall occurred, and then it appears there has been logging," Muzani said while inspecting the site on Monday (16/2/2026).
However, Muzani did not elaborate further on the allegations. He then called for concrete steps towards environmental recovery to prevent future disasters.
The Tegal Regency Government, according to Muzani, is coordinating with the Ministry of Forestry and Perhutani (state forestry corporation) 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 again," Muzani said.
The Guci Tourist Resort in Bumijawa District, Tegal Regency, was struck by flash floods on Saturday (20/12/2025). The floods were caused by high-intensity rainfall that caused river flows to overflow.