Enviro News Asia, Morowali — The Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement (Gakkum Kehutanan), in collaboration with the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) Halilintar, has officially imposed administrative sanctions on PT Bumi Mineral Utama (PT BMU) for conducting illegal nickel mining activities within a Limited Production Forest (HPT) area in Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi.
The joint operation, conducted from October 25 to November 4, 2025, uncovered illegal mining activities involving PT BMU and three of its contractors — PT JJA, PT HGI, and PT MMP — operating without proper forest area utilization permits. The enforcement team seized 29 trucks loaded with nickel ore as evidence of unauthorized mining within the forest zone.
Based on field verification by Satgas PKH Halilintar, the companies were found to have opened mining areas covering 62.15 hectares without legal permits, violating Article 78 (3) Jo Article 50 (2)(a) of Law No. 41/1999 on Forestry, as amended by Law No. 6/2023 on Job Creation. The illegal activities caused significant environmental damage and an estimated potential state loss of Rp 2.35 trillion (approximately USD 145 million).
Maj. Gen. TNI Febriel Buyung Sikumbang, Commander of Satgas PKH Halilintar, stated that the operation demonstrates the government’s strong stance against forest encroachment and environmental crimes. “We are prioritizing administrative sanctions, but criminal prosecution will follow if the company fails to comply or settle fines,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, Director General of Gakkum Kehutanan, said that this operation reflects the government’s firm commitment to protecting Indonesia’s forests and strengthening law enforcement synergy. “This joint operation reinforces deterrence against forest-related crimes and highlights our zero-tolerance approach toward environmental violations,” he said.
Jaksa Agung Muda Tindak Pidana Khusus (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah from the Attorney General’s Office confirmed support for the operation and assured that financial tracing will be conducted to uncover beneficial owners behind the illegal mining network.
Adding to this, Director of Forest Crime Enforcement, Rudianto Saragih Napitu, affirmed that the Ministry of Forestry, through Gakkum Kehutanan, remains committed to a thorough investigation. “Our enforcement efforts will not stop at the field operators. We will pursue the masterminds and financiers behind these illegal activities, guided by the principle of Ultimum Remidium,” he said.
This action underscores Indonesia’s strengthened coordination between environmental, legal, and security institutions to preserve forest ecosystems and ensure sustainable natural resource management in Central Sulawesi and beyond. (*)
