Ministry of Environment and Forestry Foils Illegal Pangolin Scale Trade in Sintang, West Kalimantan
Forestry Enforcement Unit, Kalimantan Region, has uncovered an illegal trade in protected wildlife parts, pangolin scales, in Sintang, West Kalimantan. In the operation, authorities seized 1.38 kilograms of pangolin scales (Manis javanica), a mobile phone, and identified a suspect, HLY, aged 53.
The case emerged from public information and was followed by checks at a room of a hotel on Jl. Pattimura, Sintang, where the 1.38 kg of pangolin scales were found in a black plastic bag under the suspect’s control.
Head of the Kalimantan Region Forestry Enforcement Unit, Leonardo Gultom, said the hardline action is part of the commitment to safeguard Indonesia’s biodiversity from hunting and trade of protected wildlife and their parts. ‘We will not give criminals a space; action against suspect HLY is a step to cut the chain of pangolin hunting and illegal trade inside and outside West Kalimantan,’ he said on Thursday (5/3).
According to him, law enforcement will be carried out fully in line with the latest regulations. Crimes against wildlife are serious crimes that disrupt ecological balance.
‘The suspect will be charged under Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems Law No. 32 of 2024, with penalties including up to 15 years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rp 30 billion, along with the penalties adjusted by Law No. 1 of 2026.’ He added this is a hard warning to anyone still trading parts of protected animals.
Based on investigations, suspect HLY arrived in Pontianak on 19 February 2026 from his origin in East Java. Then on 23 February 2026 HLY went to Sintang to source pangolin scales; it is known that the suspect knew the pangolin scale trading network through Facebook.
For his actions, suspect HLY is detained at Pontianak Class IIA Detention Centre for further investigation by the Gakkum Forestry Investigator. The evidence including 1.38 kg pangolin scales and a mobile phone has been seized for court proceedings.