Illegal Mining and Prostitution on Buru Island: 16 Chinese Nationals Arrested
The Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH), together with the XV/Pattimura Military Regional Command, has cracked down on Unlicensed Gold Mining (PETI) activities through an integrated enforcement operation in the illegal gold mining area of Gunung Botak on Buru Island, Maluku.
XV/Pattimura Regional Military Commander Major General TNI Doddy Tri explained that prior to the enforcement, on 13 April, TNI Vice Chief Lieutenant General Richard Tampubolon, along with Satgas PKH, inspected the mining site from the air.
The joint team then carried out the evacuation of the illegal mining land at Gunung Botak, as well as sweeping the base camp area and gold refining locations.
“The result was the securing of 16 foreign nationals from China suspected of being involved, and the discovery of alcohol sales locations and prostitution practices. All the foreign nationals have been handed over to immigration authorities,” Doddy said in a written statement on Sunday (3/5).
Doddy stated that the enforcement carried out not only focused on land evacuation but also encompassed comprehensive handling of various social impacts arising from it.
“The discovery of 16 foreign nationals from China at the mining site and the presence of prostitution practices and alcohol circulation demonstrate how serious this threat is if left unchecked. This is not merely an economic issue; it is a matter of security stability and national integrity,” he said.
Doddy emphasised the importance of organising mining areas in a legal and sustainable manner.
He mentioned that together with the Maluku Provincial Government, the TNI is committed to reorganising the Gunung Botak area.
“This enforcement is our concrete step in saving Maluku’s natural resource assets from illegal exploitation that is destructive. The TNI is present to escort local government policies so that natural resource management can shift to official channels, thereby providing real contributions to Regional Original Income (PAD) and the welfare of Maluku’s people legally,” he stated.