Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR RI) has recognized the bravery and professionalism of a joint law enforcement team that successfully thwarted an armed illegal hunting operation targeting Timor deer in Komodo National Park, one of the country’s most iconic conservation areas.
Chair of Commission IV of the DPR RI, Titiek Soeharto, presented certificates of appreciation to 23 personnel involved in the operation during a ceremony at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on 3 June 2026.
The awards were symbolically handed over to the Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, representing the multi-agency task force. The team comprised officers from the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, the management authority of Komodo National Park, the West Manggarai Police, the East Nusa Tenggara Water Police Directorate, and the National Police’s Maritime and Water Security Corps.
According to Januanto, the operation demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting one of Indonesia’s most valuable conservation assets.
“Komodo National Park is Indonesia’s face to the world. When armed poaching occurs, what is at stake is not only wildlife but also the authority of the state and the safety of frontline officers,” he said.
The enforcement action took place in December 2025 and involved a dramatic confrontation between law enforcement personnel and armed poachers. During the operation, officers came under resistance that escalated into an exchange of gunfire.
Despite the risks, the task force successfully secured the area and confiscated key evidence, including a homemade firearm, eight rounds of live 5.56 mm ammunition, ten spent cartridges, a hunted Timor deer, and a wooden vessel used by the perpetrators.
Authorities have since completed the legal investigation. The case has been declared complete (P-21) by the West Manggarai District Prosecutor’s Office. Three suspects have been formally charged, while five additional suspects remain fugitives and are currently being pursued by law enforcement agencies.
The suspects face charges under Indonesia’s conservation law and emergency regulations governing illegal firearm possession.
Director of Forest Resource Utilization and Forest Security, Suharyono, said the parliamentary recognition sends a strong message regarding the importance of supporting forest rangers and conservation officers across the country.
“We will continue improving operational standards while placing the safety of frontline personnel as a top priority—from forest rangers and wildfire brigades to officers working in remote conservation areas. What we protect is not only the forest but also the lives of those who safeguard it,” Suharyono stated.
The Ministry of Forestry also called on the public to help combat wildlife crime by reporting suspicious activities through official channels. Public participation, officials noted, remains essential to protecting Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that serves as a refuge for unique biodiversity and a symbol of Indonesia’s conservation efforts. (*)
