Riau Police Chief Advocates for Elephant Justice at Conservation Stage Festival
This historic moment unfolded on the banks of the Siak River, specifically in the Tuan Kadi Rest House area, on Saturday night (11/4/2026). The Riau Police Chief directly led the Elephant Conservation Festival, an event described as Indonesia’s first elephant conservation festival.
In his speech, Irjen Herry Heryawan stressed that this activity is not merely ceremonial but a “collective moral obligation” to save an increasingly pressured ecosystem. The two-star general conveyed that society currently stands at a crossroads requiring real commitment to view nature and the environment as inseparable from human life.
“Today is an extraordinary moment. We are here to affirm our collective moral obligation towards nature and the ecosystem within it, including elephants that continue to be illegally hunted by irresponsible individuals,” asserted Irjen Herry Heryawan.
The event also serves as a reminder that elephants are wild animals now on the brink of extinction. As living beings, elephants have long lost their “voice” because their habitats are continuously seized by irresponsible parties.
Alongside massive educational efforts being promoted, this Akpol 96 graduate reaffirmed his commitment to law enforcement against elephant hunters and other wild animals. As mentioned some time ago, Polda Riau collaborates with the Tesso Nilo National Park Office (TNTN) and BKSDA to uncover large illegal hunting syndicates.
“Today’s Elephant Stage Festival is here to continue voicing justice for elephants. They are living beings that cannot poetically demand justice; they cannot speak when their homes are displaced. Therefore, we are here as their voice,” he added.
Therefore, the Police Chief invited all elements of society in Riau Province to boldly stand against anyone who damages nature. He emphasised the importance of collective understanding to challenge illegal hunters and parties that destroy forests.
“We must hold our heads high to challenge those who continue to illegally hunt our elephants, as well as those who damage the existing environment and forests,” he exclaimed.
Closing his speech, the Riau Police Chief hoped that 11 April 2026 would be recorded as a new historic milestone in efforts to conserve nature and ecosystems in Indonesia. The presence of various community elements at this festival is considered a real contribution to providing justice to nature that has long nurtured life.
“Hopefully, today we are making history for everyone. Your presence here, Sir and Madam, is a great contribution to all of us in continuing to provide justice to nature,” he concluded.
The event was also attended by Deputy Police Chief of Riau Brigjen Hengky Haryadi and Karoops Polda Riau Kombes Prabowo Susanto, community and customary figures, Pekanbaru Forkopimkot officials, environmental activists, activists, artists, and the public. The festival was enlivened with theatrical performances, poetry readings, and painting competitions.