Revealed: Burnt Forest Land in Riau Intended to be Converted into Palm Oil Plantation
The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Bengkalis Police has uncovered allegations of land occupation and palm oil plantation activities within burnt forest areas. The police have named YS (58) as a suspect in this case.
The Head of the Bengkalis Police Criminal Investigation Unit, AKP Yohn Mabel, stated that the designation of the suspect is an extension of the investigation into forest and land fires (karhutla) in the Pematang Pudu sub-district, Mandau district. “The designation of the suspect was carried out based on the results of investigations, witness examinations, collection of evidence, and case exposure. Investigators will continue to conduct further examinations of the suspect and complete the investigation administration,” Yohn said in a statement received in Pekanbaru on Sunday (30/8).
Yohn noted that the investigation began following reports of fire hotspots in the Pematang Pudu area on Tuesday (14/7). The investigation was conducted by the Bhabinkamtibmas (community policing officer) with support from the Mandau Sector Police.
Investigators subsequently examined several witnesses and gathered information regarding activities on the land. The investigation findings revealed plantation activities involving the planting of palm oil seedlings.
Investigators then took coordinate points and conducted a site analysis. Based on the analysis, the land used for plantation activities was found to be within the Limited Production Forest (HPT) area.
The cultivated land is estimated to be approximately six hectares, with about 1.5 hectares already cleared. Palm oil plants in the early stages of planting were discovered at the location.
Following a case exposure, investigators officially named YS as a suspect on Friday (2_8).
For his actions, YS is charged with violating Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry, as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023. The suspect is also charged with violating the provisions of Law Number 18 of 2013 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023.