Enviro News Asia, Jambi — Forestry law enforcement authorities in Sumatra have transferred a suspect in a large-scale forest encroachment case involving approximately 600 hectares of protected land to the Jambi High Prosecutor’s Office for prosecution.
The Sumatra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkum Kehutanan) handed over the suspect, identified by the initials BS, aged 36, along with evidence to prosecutors at the Muaro Sabak District Prosecutor’s Office in East Tanjung Jabung Regency. The transfer followed the issuance of a P-21 notice by the Jambi High Prosecutor’s Office, confirming that the investigation file is complete.
Authorities identified BS as the leader of an organized group responsible for illegal land clearing inside the Berbak Sembilang National Park, specifically in Sungai Palas Hamlet, Rantau Rasau Village, Berbak Sub-district. The group allegedly operated under the guise of a legally registered farmers’ association, known as RM Farmers Group, with more than 150 members.
Investigators found that the group claimed control over roughly 600 hectares of national park land and charged members approximately Rp15 million per hectare to obtain plots. Nearly 100 hectares have already been planted, primarily with oil palm. BS himself reportedly cultivated around five hectares within the protected area.
Head of the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, Hari Novianto, said the case is an expansion of a previous encroachment investigation involving another suspect, identified as SR, whose case file has also been declared complete. Testimony from SR and multiple witnesses indicated that BS coordinated the large-scale encroachment.
“The massive land clearing of 600 hectares not only damages forest ecosystems but also threatens peatland hydrological functions,” Hari said. “Such damage significantly increases the risk of forest and land fires and endangers wildlife habitats.”
Prosecutors charged BS under Indonesia’s Forestry Law and the Law on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, as amended by the 2023 Job Creation Law, in conjunction with provisions of the Criminal Code. If convicted, the suspect faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and fines of up to Rp5 billion. (*)
