Suspects in Log Timber Case Triggering Sumatra Floods to Face Trial Soon
The Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) has officially transferred the case files regarding environmental violations committed by PT TBS, which caused flooding and landslides in Sumatra, to the Prosecutor’s Office.
The Director of Specific Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Moh Irhamni, stated that the case involves two individual perpetrators and the corporation PT TBS, all of whom have been named as suspects.
He noted that the transfer of suspects and evidence, known as Phase II, was completed to the Sibolga District Attorney’s Office in North Sumatra last Friday (28/8).
“The suspects are PT TBS, the Director of PT TBS with the initials NC, and the Manager of PT TBS with the initials FH. The evidence transferred includes two excavators, one bulldozer, and several corporate documents,” he said in a written statement on Thursday (10/9).
He explained that the perpetrators’ logging activities took place in the Batang Toru District, South Tapanuli, and the Sibabangun District, Central Tapanuli.
Irhamni mentioned that the suspects are charged under Article 109 letter a and/or Article 98 and/or Article 99 of Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management.
“In accordance with the directives of President Prabowo Subianto, we will take firm action against perpetrators of environmental violations that harm the community,” he concluded.
Previously, Irhamni stated that the agency has commenced investigations regarding the discovery of timber in the Garoga and Anggoli River Basins in Tapanuli.
“We are applying charges for environmental crimes, as well as money laundering, and will pursue both individual and corporate accountability,” he told reporters at Barescroim Polri on Tuesday, 16 December.
In this case, Irhamni stated that the logs are suspected to have originated from land clearing activities conducted by PT TBS in the Tapanuli region, North Sumatra.
He noted that the company allegedly failed to comply with the Environmental Management Effort and Environmental Monitoring Effort (UKL-UPL) during land clearing. Irhamni stated that the land clearing activities are suspected to have been ongoing for approximately one year.
“Based on the information, it has been ongoing for about a year. However, we are examining the evidence, including documents and planning, for further verification,” he added.
Furthermore, he stated that investigators would not rule out the possibility of investigating other companies suspected of participating in land clearing upstream of the Aek Garoga River.
“Regarding corporations, we are currently investigating one company. Since this upstream area spans 120 kilometres, we are working to identify any other corporations or activities along that stretch,” he said.