Ministry of Forestry Hands Over Illegal Logging Suspect in Solok; 152 Logs and 3 Heavy Machines Seized
The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has moved the case of alleged illegal logging in Solok Regency, West Sumatra, to the prosecution stage. A suspect, identified by the initials BS, also known as BG (50), has been officially transferred to the Solok District Attorney’s Office after the case files were declared complete (P-21).
During this second stage of handover, investigators from the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Balai Gakkum) for the Sumatra Region also surrendered several pieces of evidence, including three units of heavy machinery and hundreds of logs resulting from the alleged illegal logging. The total evidence handed over consists of three heavy machines, 152 round logs with a volume of 237.53 cubic metres, and various documents related to unauthorised forest harvesting activities.
This case is a follow-up to an operation to eradicate illegal logging and the circulation of forest products in Solok Regency, conducted by the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, the West Sumatra Provincial Forestry Service, and the West Sumatra Regional Police’s PPNS supervisors in August 2025. BS, acting as the authorised representative for PHAT SD, is charged 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. For these alleged offences, the suspect faces a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of up to Rp3.5 billion.
During the investigation, the suspect filed a pretrial motion at the Koto Baru District Court in Solok in October 2025. However, the judge rejected the application, allowing the legal process to proceed. The Head of the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, Hari Novianto, explained that the discovery began following community reports and social media information regarding large-scale tree felling in the Sariak Bayang area in July 2025. This location serves as a water catchment area for the upper Batang Bayang River and is considered vital for environmental balance.
Field inspections revealed tree felling within both the PHAT SD area and adjacent areas classified as Area for Other Uses (APL). In the areas outside the PHAT SD, investigators found five log collection points (TPK) and hundreds of round logs lacking barcodes. Additionally, heavy machinery, including bulldozers and excavators, was found, which were allegedly used to drag logs and construct logging roads. The total area of felling outside the PHAT SD is approximately 83.31 hectares, with a total log transport volume of 11,299.81 cubic metres, significantly exceeding the authorised limit of 7,012.21 cubic metres.