Two Men Arrested in Kuansing for Burning Bukit Betabuh Protected Forest
The Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Police have arrested two men for setting fire to the Bukit Betabuh Protected Forest in the Kuantan Mudik District. The incident resulted in the burning of approximately 9.75 hectares of protected forest area.
Kuantan Singingi Police Chief, AKBP Hidayat Perdana, explained that the investigation began following the detection of a forest and land fire (karhutla) on Thursday (13/8) at around 09:00 WIB in the Bukit Betabuh Protected Forest area.
“After learning of the forest and land fire, Kuantan Singingi Police personnel conducted an investigation to determine the cause and the parties involved in the burning of the land,” stated AKBP Hidayat Perdana in a statement on Friday (18/9/2026).
The investigation led to suspects SL (52) and S (47), both residents of Seberang Cengar Village, Kuantan Mudik District, Kuantan Singingi Regency. A team led by the Head of Criminal Investigation of the Kuansing Police, AKP Gerry Agnar Timur, subsequently arrested SL at his residence in Seberting Cengar Village on Tuesday (15/9).
“From the initial examination, suspect SL (52) stated that the land clearing by burning in the Bukit Betabuh Protected Forest area was carried out by suspect S (47) along with another individual with the initials KAJ, who is currently still being sought,” the Police Chief explained.
Following further developments, the police arrested S. During interrogation at the police station, S admitted to carrying out the burning of the land under the orders of SL.
Based on inspections of the crime scene conducted alongside the National Land Agency (BPN), the Forest Management Unit (KPH), and the Plantation Service, it was confirmed that the burnt land is situated within a protected forest zone.
“Based on the joint inspection with relevant agencies, the area of burnt land is estimated to reach approximately 9.75 hectares,” said AKBP Hidayat Perdana.
In relation to the case, police have seized evidence including three pieces of burnt wood and aerial photography maps of the burnt area provided by the KPH.
The suspects are charged with violating Article 36 number 17, Article 78 paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) of Law Number 6 of 2023 regarding the Stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 2 of 2022 on Job Creation into Law, as amended in Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry, and/or Article 37 number 12 paragraph (1) letter c of Law Number 6 of 2023, as amended in Law Number 18 of 2013 on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, in conjunction with Article 20 of Law Number 1 of 2023 regarding the Criminal Code.
Under Article 78 paragraph (3) of the Forestry Law, the intentional burning of forests is punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to Rp7.5 billion. Meanwhile, under Article 78 paragraph (4) of the Forestry Law, acts of negligence resulting in forest fires are punishable by a maximum of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to Rp3.5 billion.