Videotron in Bandung's Padel Cihapit Sealed Following Tree Felling Scandal

The mystery behind the felling of at least ten shade trees at the intersection of Jalan LLRE Martadinata (Jalan Riau) and Jalan Cihapit in Bandung, West Java, has finally been unravelled. The Bandung City Satpol PP has sealed a videotron at the SixNine Padel area following allegations of illegal tree felling. The videotron screen was fitted with crossed Satpol PP seal lines after it was discovered the operator did not possess an advertising permit (IPR).

‘Today we are following up on the investigation process. Based on the official report we have conducted, we are sealing the videotron because its permit has not been issued, and this is a follow-up to the felling of 10 trees on Jalan LLRE Martadinata,’ said Bandung Satpol PP Head Bambang Sukardi at the location on Wednesday (5/8). Bambang stated that Satpol PP only sealed the videotron in the SixNine Padel area. The sports building and café itself could not be acted against as it had already obtained complete permits. ‘That is why we are not disturbing the padel building. We are only sealing the videotron attached to the padel building,’ Bambang explained. He said the sealing focused on violations of Regional Regulation 3/2026.

Based on the official investigation report, the perpetrator admitted that the trees were felled because they were considered to be blocking the view of the videotron. ‘The tree feller’s reason was related to this videotron. In principle, they admitted it was their own initiative and desire,’ Bambang said. The perpetrator assessed that the trees reduced the screen’s visibility from the road, triggering the action without obtaining government permission. However, the perpetrator claimed responsibility as a contractor, not the management of SixNine Padel. Preliminary investigations indicate the action was carried out by a sub-contractor working on a garden project in the area, who has expressed willingness to take responsibility by replanting the trees.

‘The reason was for the videotron’s visibility, so it was cut down by… not the padel management, but a sub-contractor who got the job to create the garden. But he has good intentions, cooperating with the investigation to take responsibility for replanting the trees,’ Bambang revealed. He added that the sub-contractor claimed to have acted on his own initiative, but the investigation remains ongoing as Satpol PP continues to trace the possible involvement of other parties. ‘If the tree felling was indeed carried out by the sub-contractor, he conveyed that he is responsible. The deeper issue is that because of this videotron, he saw that the trees were blocking the view, so he intended to cut them down without a permit,’ Bambang said.

He confirmed the investigation is continuing to ascertain all parties linked to the illegal tree felling. So far, Satpol PP has named only one person as the perpetrator. In addition to an administrative sanction of Rp10 million per tree felled, the perpetrator is required to replant 100 tree seedlings as a form of responsibility for the environmental damage caused. Previously, Bandung Mayor Farhan, following an inspection on Friday (31/7), suspected there was backing behind the illegal action in the city centre. At the sealing site, Farhan could not hide his anger. ‘Wow, I am angry. I am very angry about this. We will press criminal charges,’ he said. Farhan confirmed his office has gathered clues about the parties behind the tree felling and will not remain silent. He also plans to report the matter to the central government’s Directorate General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Environment. Earlier this week, Farhan stressed he would impose strict sanctions if any civil servants were found to be involved.