Illegal Logging Suspect Handed Over to Solok District Attorney, Facing Five Years in Prison
The Ministry of Forestry, through the Sumatra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, has officially handed over a suspect in an illegal logging case, identified by the initials BS (alias BG, 50), along with evidence to the Solok District Attorney. This second phase of the legal process follows the completion of the investigation files (P-21) by the Solok District Attorney’s investigators. This action aligns with the commitment of Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni to strengthen law enforcement and take decisive action against practices that damage national forests.
During the handover, the Ministry of Forestry seized evidence including three units of heavy machinery, 152 logs with a total volume of 237.53 cubic metres, and supporting documents related to the alleged unauthorised forest harvesting activities in the Solok Regency, West Sumatra. The investigation into BS, acting as an authorised representative, is a follow-up to the Illegal Logging and Forest Product Circulation Operation in Solok Regency conducted in August 2025.
The Head of the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, Hari Novianto, explained that the case originated from community reports regarding forest encroachment in the upstream water catchment area of the Batang Bayang River, Alahan Panjang, Lembah Gumanti, Solok Regency. Field verifications revealed tree felling outside official permit areas covering approximately 83.31 hectares, with a total log transport volume of 11,299.81 cubic metres. The use of heavy machinery, such as bulldozers and excavators, in steep terrain is considered a strong potential trigger for flash floods in the West Sumatra region.
The suspect had previously filed a pretrial motion at the Koto Baru District Court in October 2025, but the judge rejected all requests, allowing the legal process to proceed to this handover stage. The Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, expressed appreciation for the support from the West Sumatra Regional Police and the West Sumatra High Prosecutor’s Office, stating that this case exposure is a gateway to slowing forest degradation and reducing flood risks. He emphasised the hope for maximum sentencing to serve as a deterrent.
For the offence of harvesting forest products without authorisation from competent officials, the suspect faces charges under Article 78 paragraph (6) in conjunction with Article 50 paragraph (2) letter c of Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry, as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023 on Job Creation. The suspect faces a maximum prison sentence of five years and a maximum fine of Rp3.5 billion.