Illegal Gold Mine in Matalawa National Park, Sumba, Dismantled; 3 People Named as Suspects
East Sumba Police in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have dismantled an illegal gold mining operation in the conservation area of Matalawa National Park, East Sumba. Three individuals have been named as suspects: KHM (31), AN (35), and RU (30).
“The development of the illegal gold mining case without a permit (PETI) has progressed to investigation and the naming of three people as suspects,” said East Sumba Police Chief AKBP Gede Harimbawa to detikBali on Thursday (7/5/2026).
Gede explained that the illegal mining occurred on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, in the Laku Lalandak River, Laironja Hamlet, Wanggameti Village, Matawai La Pawu Subdistrict, East Sumba Regency. The location falls within the Matalawa National Park conservation area.
According to Gede, the naming of the suspects follows a police report filed by a resident with initials SNA on 10 December 2025. Based on the investigation and interrogation conducted, investigators from the Criminal Investigation Unit of East Sumba Police have officially named KHM, AN, and RU as suspects.
From the interrogation results, it was revealed that KHM, AN, and RU carried out mining activities without permission in the protected forest area using simple or open mining methods, by digging soil and rock materials, then panning with pans to obtain gold particles.
“The activity was carried out without permission from the authorities. Therefore, it is called illegal mining,” said Gede.
In addition to the three suspects, police have also secured several pieces of evidence, including three head torches, one digging iron, and five pans. Additionally, supporting documents regarding the forest area status, such as regional regulations on spatial planning and a ministerial decree equipped with a map of the protected forest area.
“The main goal of the suspects was to obtain gold and sell it for personal needs,” revealed Gede.
Currently, KHM, AN, and RU are charged under Article 89 Paragraph (1) letter a of Law No. 18 of 2013 on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction as amended in Law No. 6 of 2023, Article 78 Paragraph (6) of Law No. 41 of 1999 on Forestry as amended in Law No. 6 of 2023, and Article of Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining as last amended by Law No. 2 of 2025.
He emphasised that East Sumba Police will firmly address all forms of illegal mining activities, especially those in protected forest areas. Because such actions can damage the environment and violate the law.
“The legal process against the suspects is still ongoing and will be handled professionally in accordance with applicable legal provisions,” concluded Gede.