Police and TNI Collaboration Responds to Community Report on Illegal Gold Mining, 12 Rafts Burned

Information regarding this illegal activity emerged during the Annual Members’ Meeting (RAT) of the Timbul Sakato Cooperative for the 2025 Book Year, held at the Tanjung Pauh Village Office, Singingi Hilir Subdistrict, on Tuesday (28/4/2026). Attending the meeting were Singingi Hilir Police Sector Chief Iptu Alferdo Krisnata Kaban and Danramil 09 Singingi Captain Inf Ardi Yasman.

“Upon hearing reports from cooperative members that their palm oil plantation area was being used as a site for illegal gold mining, personnel from Singingi Hilir Police Sector and Koramil 09 Singingi immediately took tactical steps by checking the location,” explained Kuansing Police Chief AKBP Hidayat Perdana in his statement.

Without delay, around 13:00 WIB, the joint team moved to the mentioned location. Upon arriving at the Timbul Sakato Cooperative’s palm oil plantation area, officers found 12 units of PETI rafts parked at the site.

“At that time, the rafts were not operating and no workers were found at the scene of the incident (TKP),” he stated.

As a preventive measure to ensure the equipment was not reused, officers took firm action by destroying it on the spot. The 12 units of rafts were burned by officers at the discovery location.

AKBP Hidayat emphasised that this rapid response is part of the Riau Regional Police’s commitment, aligned with the Green Policing programme, to maintain environmental preservation and security in the Kuantan Singingi jurisdiction.

“We appreciate the public who dare to report. The synergy between TNI, Polri, and cooperative management in this RAT demonstrates that participatory oversight is highly effective in eradicating illegal practices that damage the environment,” he explained.

Although no perpetrators were secured in this operation, the police assure they will continue routine monitoring to ensure PETI activities do not re-emerge in the area.