PT GTP Named Suspect in Batam Protected Forest Encroachment Case

The Ministry of Forestry, through its Sumatera Region Law Enforcement Agency, has named PT GTP as a corporate suspect in the alleged encroachment of the Tanjung Piayu protected forest area in Batam, Riau Islands. Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, stated that PT GTP is suspected of clearing the Tanjung Piayu protected forest without permits, using heavy machinery to construct roads and excavate hills, and subsequently utilising the excavated material as landfill. Based on crime scene analysis and expert testimony, the activity resulted in the clearing of approximately 1.98 hectares of land, including a road spanning roughly 897 metres in length and between 7 to 11 metres in width, causing damage to the protected forest’s functions. The investigation was conducted by forestry law enforcement investigators from the Sumatera Region Section II Pekanbaru, in coordination with the Riau Islands Police supervisory coordinator. During the process, investigators examined 12 witnesses from various parties and sought statements from two experts: a mapping and forest area designation expert from the Tanjung Pinang Forest Area Stabilisation Centre, and a soil and environmental damage expert from IPB University. Investigators also held a case conference with the Riau Islands Police supervisory coordinator on 21 July before designating PT GTP as a corporate suspect. ‘The designation of PT GTP as a corporate suspect was made after investigators obtained at least two valid pieces of evidence. The entire investigation process was carried out objectively, professionally, and in accordance with applicable legal provisions,’ Nugroho said in a written statement on Tuesday (28/7). PT GTP is charged with violating the prohibition on unlawfully working on, using, or occupying forest areas, as stipulated in Article 78 paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 50 paragraph (2) letter a of Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry, as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023. He stated that law enforcement against corporations is a crucial part of building fair and integrated forest governance. ‘Law enforcement must not stop at field perpetrators. When a corporation is suspected of controlling, benefiting from, or being responsible for forest encroachment, criminal liability must be directed at the corporation in accordance with applicable legal provisions,’ he said. Meanwhile, Head of the Sumatera Region Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, Hari Novianto, said the investigation was carried out professionally, objectively, and based on valid evidence to ensure that corporate criminal liability can be fully proven in court. ‘Investigators continue to examine the involvement of all parties, including the decision-making process within the corporation and those who benefited from these activities, so that the handling of this case can comprehensively reveal the entire sequence of events,’ he said.