Sumatran Tiger Habitat Cleared, Forestry Ministry Names Six Suspects
The Forestry Ministry has named six people as suspects in an alleged illegal logging case inside the Kerumutan Wildlife Reserve in Riau. During the investigation, officers found around 60 cubic metres of processed timber believed to have come from illegal logging activities.
The case came to light when a SMART Patrol team from the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency conducted aerial monitoring to follow up on reports of forest fires in the Kerumutan Wildlife Reserve. From that monitoring, officers discovered indications of illegal logging activity inside the conservation area.
“Six people have been processed and several other perpetrators are still being pursued,” said Hari Novianto, Head of the Sumatra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Office, in a statement on Saturday (22/8/2026).
The six people arrested have the initials J (50), A (29), B (29), BKA (29), K (28), and AY (27). Several others fled during the raid and remain at large.
The case is being handled by the Sumatra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Office under the Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement. The case has been elevated to the investigation stage based on Investigation Order Number 19/PPNS/GAKKUMHUT.7-SW II/GKM.5.4/B/08/2026 dated 19 August 2026.
At the site, investigators found a pile of processed timber measuring around 60 cubic metres. For evidentiary purposes, three pieces of processed timber were secured as evidence, along with three chainsaws, two bicycle tyres, and four mobile phones.
Based on initial examination, the activity is believed to have been carried out repeatedly over approximately two months inside the Kerumutan Wildlife Reserve, in the area of Sungai Guntung Tengah Village, Rengat District, Indragiri Hulu Regency.
Hari said the investigation will continue to be developed to uncover all parties involved in the illegal logging activity.
“We want to ensure that all parties involved are held accountable according to their roles,” he said.
The six suspects are charged under Article 40 paragraph (1) letter e in conjunction with Article 19 paragraph (2) letter e of Law Number 32 of 2024 on Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 on Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, and/or Article 82 paragraph (1) letter c in conjunction with Article 12 letter c of Law Number 18 of 2013 on Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023, in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustments. The suspects face a maximum prison sentence of 11 years and fines.
The Forestry Ministry emphasised that the current investigation is focused on the alleged illegal logging case. There is as yet no conclusion linking the illegal logging activity to the cause of the forest fires also being handled in the same area.
Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho said that disturbances to the Kerumutan Wildlife Reserve require serious attention. Logging not only impacts forest stands but also wildlife habitats and the ecological functions of the area.
“Kerumutan faces pressure from fires to illegal logging. What we are protecting is not only the forest stands but also the habitat of the Sumatran tiger and other wildlife, as well as the forest functions that sustain the lives of surrounding communities,” said Januanto.
The Kerumutan Wildlife Reserve is an important conservation area that serves as a habitat for the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), clouded leopard, sun bear, gibbon, hornbill, and various other wildlife species.
Protection of the area needs to be strengthened through on-the-ground security, personnel and technology support, and the involvement of communities living around the area.