Operation PETI Merah Putih Kuantan: 436 Rafts Destroyed, 15 Suspects Charged

A joint team from the Riau Regional Police and Kuantan Singingi Police carried out enforcement against unlicensed gold mining (PETI) in a territorial operation codenamed ‘Operation PETI Merah Putih Kuantan’. Over the 10 days of the operation, hundreds of PETI rafts were destroyed on site and more than a dozen suspects were charged by police.

Director of Water and Air Police of the Riau Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Apri Fajar Hermanto, said the operation was held as a firm commitment by the police to eradicate illegal mining activities that have been proven to damage environmental sustainability and harm the wider community in Kuantan Singingi Regency.

“This operation is a concrete step by the Riau Regional Police to protect the region’s ecosystem and break the chain of illegal mining. As of the 10th day of implementation, the joint team has succeeded in destroying 436 PETI raft units by dismantling and burning them on site, and has detained 15 suspects for further legal proceedings,” said Senior Commissioner Apri Fajar Hermanto on Monday (10/8/2026).

The Riau Regional Police stressed that enforcement does not only focus on destroying facilities and infrastructure in the field, but also targets financiers and parties who facilitate the illegal activity. All suspects are now charged under articles related to environmental protection and management as well as mineral and coal mining offences.

“We urge the public not to be tempted to carry out illegal gold mining in order to preserve the sustainability of the Lancang Kuning land,” he added.

Meanwhile, on the 10th day of Operation PETI Merah Putih Kuantan, the joint team led by Director of Water and Air Police of the Riau Regional Police Senior Commissioner Apri Fajar Hermanto and Kuantan Singingi Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Hidayat Perdana destroyed 81 PETI rafts in the jurisdiction of Singingi Hilir Police Sector, Kuantan Singingi Regency, on Monday (10/8).

The enforcement was carried out thoroughly by sweeping five separate locations suspected of being concentration centres for PETI rafts. Although the rafts were found to be non-operational during the sweep, the joint team still took measured enforcement action to ensure the mining facilities could not be used again.

Of the five locations, 15 PETI raft units were found behind the Singingi Hilir sub-district head’s office, 17 PETI raft units were found behind the Koto Baru Community Health Centre technical implementation unit, and 12 raft units were found behind Koto Baru 1 State Senior High School.

All 81 PETI raft units along with supporting mining equipment were immediately destroyed in situ by damaging and burning them, carried out by joint personnel from the Mobile Brigade, the Riau Regional Police Directorate of Samapta, and the Criminal Investigation and Sabhara units of the Kuantan Singingi Police.

Senior Commissioner Apri Fajar Hermanto stressed that the Riau Regional Police will not provide any room for illegal mining activities that damage the environmental ecosystem and pollute river flows in Riau. This step is in line with the Riau Regional Police’s commitment to upholding the principle of Protecting Tuah, Guarding Marwah.