Strict Action On Forest Destruction, Riau Police Affirms Green Policing's Commitment

The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) of the Riau Police revealed the practice of illegally increasing forest areas in Kampar Regency.

Four people have been named suspects for allegedly managing oil palm plantations without permission in the Limited Production Forest area and the Si Abu Protect Forest, which is located in Balung Village, XIII District, Koto Kampar.

Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryyawan said the disclosure of this case began with public reports received at the end of May 2025.

The information then followed up by the Riau Police's Sub-Directorate IV Tipidter team conducted an intensive investigation and found illegal activities of oil palm plantations in the country's forest areas.

The fact that the investigation was found that the land that had been cleared and planted with palm oil by the perpetrators was estimated to reach tens of hectares, with the age of the plants varying from 6 months to 2 years.

"The suspects opened and illegally managed oil palm plantations in protected forest areas. This is a clear violation of forestry laws and environmental destruction," said Inspector General Herry, Monday, June 9.

The Riau Police are strongly committed to taking firm action against all forms of crime that threaten environmental sustainability and sustainability of natural resources.

"Protecting tuah, maintaining dignity, the spirit that becomes the basis for every step in efforts to preserve the environment in Bumi Lancang Kuning," said Herry.

According to him, there is no tolerance for forest destruction. Law enforcement against environmental criminals is part of the National Police's efforts to save the future of the ecosystem and society.

The Riau Police are fully committed to enforcing the law firmly and fairly against any form of environmental destruction, especially in forest areas that have protected and conservation functions.

Forestment crimes are not just violations of land administration, but crimes that have a systemic impact on the ecology, climate, and safety of future generations," explained Herry.

This is part of the implementation of the Green Policing policy, namely the Police's approach to preserving the environment through integrated preemptive, preventive, and repressive functions.

"We have handled as many as 21 forestry cases throughout 2025. The total area of land affected is 2,360 hectares," said the Kapolda.

Environmental crime is a trans-generational crime. Therefore, we carried out Green Policing in real terms with collaborative work with DLHK, BPKH, academics, environmental activists, to media partners.

Meanwhile, the Director of Criminal Investigation at the Riau Police, Kombes Ade Kuncoro Ridwan, revealed that in this case four suspects were arrested, namely Muhammad Mahadir alias Madir (40), Buspami bin Toib (48), Yoserizal (43), and M. Yusuf Tarigan alias Tarigan (50).

They have roles as owners, managers, and parties who donate land through traditional schemes. The perpetrators also used various documents, such as grants, buying and selling receipts, and work agreements to legitimize their activities.

The modus operandi of the perpetrators is carried out systematically by utilizing administrative loopholes at the local level.

They tried to disguise this illegal activity with grant documents and traditional letters. But in fact, all activities are carried out in protected forest areas whose status is protected by law," he said.

According to him, the Riau Police are not only focused on taking action, but also on breaking the chain of environmental crimes as a whole.

"We will continue to pursue the parties involved, including intellectual actors or parties who take advantage of this illegal activity. Law enforcement in the environmental sector must be carried out thoroughly, fairly, and provide a deterrent effect," said Ade.

In taking action at the location, the police also secured evidence in the form of transaction documents, grants, agricultural equipment, heavy equipment, and traditional institutional stamps.

The four suspects were charged with Article 78 of Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry, in conjunction with Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Stipulation of the Job Creation Perppu into Law, as well as Article 92 of Law Number 18 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction. They face a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to IDR 7.5 billion.

The Riau Police also invites all elements of society to continue to play an active role in preserving the environment and reporting all forms of illegal activities that damage forest areas and natural resources.