Kuansing Police Crack Down on Illegal Mines; Dozens of PETI Rafts Destroyed

Riau Regional Police, via the Kuantan Singingi Police Resort (Kuansing), has continued its crackdown on illegal gold mining (PETI). In operations conducted across two districts, police and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) destroyed 23 PETI rafts.

Kuantan Singingi Police Chief AKBP Hidayat Perdana emphasised that the enforcement is the Police’s commitment to the rule of law and a demonstration of the Police’s concern for the environment and natural resources.

“Kuantan Singingi Police and its ranks will continue to carry out enforcement against PETI activities. This initiative is a reflection of our commitment to safeguard environmental sustainability and enforce the law in Kuantan Singingi Regency,” said AKBP Hidayat on Saturday, 7 March 2026.

AKBP Hidayat urged the public not to engage in illegal mining activities and to report to the police if they are aware of PETI activities in their area.

“We call on all members of the public to help protect the environment and support the law enforcement effort by not carrying out or aiding illegal gold mining activities,” he said.

Enforcement in the Plantation

The enforcement was conducted by a joint TNI-Polri team together with the management of PT KTBM led by Kuantan Mudik Police Chief AKP Riduan Butar Butar on Friday, 6 March 2026. The targets were the plantation areas in two villages: Pantai Village and Lubuk Ramo Village, Kuantan Mudik District.

The 16-strong personnel initially combed the PT KTBM plantation at Pantai Village. There, officers found 15 units of dompeng equipment, which were immediately destroyed by burning as a deterrent.

Proceeding to the second location, still within the PT KTBM plantation in Lubuk Ramo Village, officers found 2 dompeng devices and 2 units of stingkai rafts, also destroyed by burning.

Additionally, officers secured several pieces of evidence, including three Tianlie machines, two units of keong four, and two complete stingkai units. No suspects were found or detained during the operation.

Enforcement on Sungai Paku

The operation continued along the Sungai Paku stream, in Sungai Paku Village, Singingi Hilir District, Kuansing Regency. In the operation led by the Criminal Investigation Unit of Singingi Hilir Police, Ipda Erwin, officers found 4 PETI rafts in non-operational condition.

The four rafts were destroyed by burning to prevent re-use. No suspects or further evidence were found during this operation.