Gakkum KLHK Set 2 Suspects Of Illegal Nickel Mining In Kolaka

Two suspects LM and AA were arrested by Gakkum KLHK for carrying out illegal nickel mining in Oko-Oko Village, Pomalaa, Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Monday (13/11/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Gakkum KLHK)

JAKARTA - Director General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) Ratio Ridho Sani said that his party had named two suspects for illegal nickel mining in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.

"Strict action must be taken against the two suspects with maximum punishment, because they seek financial benefits at the expense of the environment and harm the state," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, November 13.

According to him, the actions taken by the two suspects who are administrators of PT AG are serious crimes, so it is necessary to have a deterrent effect with multiple criminal charges.

In addition to the imposition of the main sentence in the form of imprisonment and fines as stated in Article 98 of the Law on Environmental Protection and Management (PPLH), according to him, the two suspects must also be investigated for corporate crimes and the imposition of additional crimes.

"In accordance with Article 119 of the PPLH Law that business entities can be subject to additional penalties or disciplinary action in the form of confiscation of profits and improvements due to criminal acts, in this case environmental restoration," he said.

The enforcement of layered criminal law includes investigations into the Crime of Money Laundering (TPPU), he said, was carried out against the two suspects as the main beneficiaries of illegal mining crimes.

Of the illegal mining cases that have been prosecuted so far, namely the imposition of basic crimes in the form of imprisonment and fines, he said, it seems that it is not enough to provide a deterrent effect for the perpetrators.

"Additional criminal impositions made with PPATK and support from the Prosecutor's Office and the Police in the form of profit confiscation and money laundering are our priority so that it can actually have a deterrent effect," said Rasio Sani.

The two suspects LM and AA were arrested and detained by investigators from the Balai Gakkum LHK Sulawesi Region and placed in the Kendari Class 2A State Detention Center (Rutan).

From the arrest, 17 units of PC 200 heavy equipment were secured and have been deposited in the Kendari Class I State Confiscated Property Storage House (Rupbasan).

Investigators ensnared the two suspects under Article 98 paragraph one of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 32 of 2009, concerning Environmental Protection and Management (PPLH), with a minimum imprisonment of three years and a maximum of 10 years, as well as a fine of at least Rp. 3 billion and a maximum of Rp. 10 billion.*