Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkum) under the Ministry of Forestry has officially declared the case file on an armed poaching incident in Komodo National Park complete (P-21). Three suspects, identified by their initials AB, AD, and YA, are now set to face trial after their dossiers were accepted by the Manggarai Barat District Prosecutor’s Office on April 1, 2026.
Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, emphasized that the case is of serious concern due to its occurrence within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He noted that deer poaching in the area directly threatens the survival of the Komodo dragon.
He explained that Timor deer play a crucial role in the Komodo dragon’s food chain and the broader savanna ecosystem. Any disruption, he warned, could destabilize the ecological balance supporting the species. “What is at stake is not only one species, but the integrity of a globally significant ecosystem,” he stated.
The case originated from a joint operation between Gakkum Jabalnusra and the Indonesian National Police on December 14, 2025, in the waters near Laju Pemali, Komodo Island. When officers attempted to intercept a suspicious motorboat, the suspects opened fire, leading to an armed confrontation in the Sape Strait before authorities successfully apprehended three individuals. Five other suspects remain at large and have been placed on the wanted list.
Head of Gakkum Jabalnusra, Aswin Bangun, stated that further investigation, including underwater searches, led to the seizure of key evidence. Confiscated items include a homemade firearm, eight live rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, 10 spent cartridges, a deer carcass, and the wooden boat used in the operation.
Authorities stressed that the case is being handled comprehensively and will not stop with the three detained suspects, as efforts continue to track down the remaining fugitives.
The suspects have been charged under multiple laws, including Law No. 32 of 2024 on Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems, as well as Emergency Law No. 12 of 1951 concerning illegal firearm possession. They face a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to Rp5 billion.
The completion of the case file underscores the Ministry of Forestry’s commitment to safeguarding Indonesia’s conservation areas from organized environmental crimes that threaten biodiversity and the safety of enforcement personnel. (*)
