Enviro News Asia, Tanjung Puting — Law enforcement authorities secured 12 individuals involved in illegal gold mining inside Tanjung Puting National Park during a joint operation conducted by the Kalimantan Forestry Law Enforcement Unit (Balai Gakkum), Tanjung Puting National Park Office, the Special Crimes Directorate of Central Kalimantan Regional Police, and the Central Kalimantan Police Mobile Brigade. The suspects—identified by the initials HD (45), SEL (27), HT (50), HM (41), KA (46), KE (48), YH (30), JM (43), SY (45), MR (40), SPY (48), and SLA (41)—are residents of Kumai and Natai Kerbau and now face charges for conducting mining activities within a conservation forest area. They face up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to IDR 10 billion.
Authorities uncovered the illegal mining activities following the discovery of a deceased orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) near Camp Leakey along the Sekonyer River on 11 September 2025. The orangutan reportedly suffered slash wounds and air rifle projectiles, believed to have resulted from encounters with illegal miners operating along access routes into the national park. The illegal mining activities were carried out by residents from surrounding villages, including Kumai, Natai Kerbau, Karang Sari, Mulya Jadi, and Sungai Pulau.
On 15 November 2024, the joint team conducted an operation in several areas of the park believed to be affected by illegal mining, including Tempukung, Kapuk, Tebing Tinggi, and Banit. In Tempukung and Banit, the team located abandoned miners’ huts and sand‐suction machines, which were subsequently destroyed to prevent reuse. The team also installed prohibition signs along known entry routes and former mining sites.
In the Tebing Tinggi and Banit areas, the operation team discovered 12 active mining rafts operating within the national park. Officers then secured 12 workers, who were also the raft owners, most of whom were residents of Kumai. The suspects and evidence were handed over to investigators for further legal processing. Investigators have placed all 12 individuals under arrest, and they will be held at Class II Detention Facility Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan.
Investigators charged the suspects under multiple provisions, including Article 33(2)(e) in conjunction with Article 40B(1)(e) of Law No. 32/2024 on the Amendment to Law No. 5/1990 on Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, and Article 17(1)(b) in conjunction with Article 89(1)(a) of Law No. 18/2013 on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, as amended by Law No. 6/2023. These articles regulate violations in conservation areas and unauthorized mining within forest zones.
Leonardo Gultom, Head of the Kalimantan Forestry Law Enforcement Unit, commended the joint operation, stating: “We deeply appreciate the coordinated efforts to restore the conservation area of Tanjung Puting National Park, where illegal mining has caused disturbance and resulted in the injury and death of a protected orangutan. We hope this case is fully resolved, including identifying the financiers and collectors behind these operations. We also request continued support from Central Kalimantan Regional Police and the Attorney General’s Office for further legal action.”
Yohan Hendratmoko, Head of Tanjung Puting National Park, added: “We highly appreciate the work of Balai Gakkum Kalimantan, the Central Kalimantan Regional Police, and OFI for supporting orangutan conservation, particularly in protection and area security. We hope this cooperation strengthens our collective efforts to preserve the habitat and population of orangutans, a protected species and national pride.” (*)
