Illegal Mining in Kutai National Park, Financier Arrested and Faces Up to 10 Years in Prison

The Kalimantan Regional Forest Law Enforcement and Development Directorate (Gakkum) has named AF, 25, as a suspect in construction-material mining (galian C) inside Kutai National Park. The designation followed investigators elevating the case to the investigative stage after authorities detected illegal mining activities using heavy equipment within the conservation area. ‘We will continue to enforce the law related to galian C mining in Kutai National Park and urge investigators to develop the case to identify other individuals involved in the mining activity. Enforcement against illegal activities within conservation areas will be carried out consistently to deter perpetrators and protect forest areas from mining activities that cause ecological damage,’ said Leonardo Gultom, Head of Kalimantan Gakkum Kehutanan, in a statement on Monday (3 March 2026). AF is alleged to have financed the mining of construction materials—such as sand and stone—using excavators inside the forest conservation area. Investigators have charged the suspect under Article 78 in conjunction with Article 50 of Law No. 41 of 1999 on Forestry, as amended by Law No. 6 of 2023 implementing Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 2 of 2022 on Job Creation into law, and linked to provisions in Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Penal Code. The suspect faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp 5 billion. In a statement, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry revealed that the case originated from a joint area-patrol for zone security on 17 December 2025. The joint team found remnants of mining pits within the national park.