Enviro News Asia, Central Kalimantan – The Ministry of Forestry has issued an official clarification regarding widely circulated social media posts about the transportation of log rafts along the Kapuas River in Sei Hanyo Village, Central Kalimantan. The Ministry also reported that field supervision is underway to ensure the integrity of forest governance.
Based on a review of the national forestry administration system, the Ministry confirmed that the timber originates from legal sources, has fulfilled all state levy obligations, and is supported by valid documentation.
The Ministry stated that the logs were produced by two licensed Forest Utilization Business Permit (PBPH) holders: PT Gunung Meranti (PT GM) and PT Prabanugraha (PT PNT). Both companies hold Sustainable Forest Management Certificates (S-PHL).
As part of a rapid response and public transparency effort, the Forestry Law Enforcement Unit for the Kalimantan Region secured the timber rafts as they passed through Bajuh Village, Kapuas Hulu Subdistrict, Kapuas Regency. The action was taken to conduct on-site verification between the transport documents and the physical timber.
Head of the Kalimantan Forestry Law Enforcement Office, Leonardo Gultom, explained that his team has coordinated with the Sustainable Forest Management Agency (BPHL) Region X in Palangka Raya to carry out a recount and inspection.
“We have secured the timber rafts on the Kapuas River to verify the physical conformity of the logs with the information stated in the SKSHHK (Certificate of Legality of Timber Forest Products). There are 305 logs from PT GM and 780 logs from PT PNT, all of which are Meranti species,” he stated.
Administratively, the shipment is destined for the wood panel industry operated by PT Sarana Borneo Industri (PT SBI) in Banjarmasin. The company holds a valid Forest Product Processing Business Permit (PBPHH) and a Forest Product Legality Certificate (S-LHH/SVLK). The entire transport process is covered by SKSHHK documents issued in real time through the Forest Product Administration Information System (SIPUHH).
The Ministry clarified that the use of log rafts is a common, efficient, and lawful river transport method in Kalimantan, provided it complies with prevailing regulations. Nevertheless, monitoring will continue through to the final destination at the processing facility to ensure that the volume and species received match the declared documentation.
Head of the Bureau of Public Relations and International Cooperation, Ristianto Pribadi, expressed appreciation for public vigilance shared via social media.
“The Ministry of Forestry appreciates public concern in overseeing the circulation of forest products. Legal forest utilization is not solely about industry, but about sustaining the livelihoods of thousands of workers while ensuring forests retain ecological value and are protected from illegal land conversion. By ensuring legality, we invest in keeping forests standing through sustainable and transparent management,” he said.
The Ministry reaffirmed that law enforcement and capacity-building efforts will continue in parallel to ensure that every log transported from Indonesia’s forests has a clear, lawful traceability record and delivers tangible benefits to the state and local communities. (*)
