Collaborating with Bakamla, the Ministry of Forestry Seizes 443 Illegally Processed Logs in Batam

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) and the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) have successfully seized 443 logs of illegally processed timber without a Certificate of Legality for Processed Timber Forest Products (SKSHHKO) at the Sagulung People's Port, Batam, Riau Islands (Kepri).

The Head of the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkum), Hari Novianto, stated in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday that the action against the circulation of illegal timber forest products was carried out following the loading and unloading of processed timber from the KLM AAL Delima ship, captained by ER and three crew members, on Wednesday, September 3.

"Transportation of processed timber should be accompanied by a SKSHHKO. Transporting processed timber (pacakan) using a SKSHHKB and a BA for Change in Wood Form does not comply with regulations," Hari said.

"This is suspected to be a new method for transporting illegal processed wood from forest areas. We have ordered the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkumhut) investigators to conduct further legal proceedings," he added.

Gakkumhut investigators have secured evidence of processed wood, timber documents, and the vessel, and have questioned the captain and witnesses who witnessed this crime.

During the joint operation by the Directorate General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Forestry and the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), 443 pieces of processed wood, including meranti and mixed timber, of various sizes were found.

A total of 108 logs of processed wood were transported from the KLM AAL Delima to the holder of the NG Forest Product Processing Business Permit (PBPHH) in Batam City. The remaining 335 logs remain on board.

From the inspection and analysis of the Certificate of Legality of Round Wood Forest Products (SKSHHKB) accompanying the transport of the processed wood, 443 logs of processed wood with a volume of 61.55 cubic meters were loaded on September 2, 2025, from Tanjung Samak, Beliah Strait, Tupang Island, Meranti Islands Regency.

"For this action, we express our appreciation to the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) in Batam for their synergy and collaboration in efforts to secure the circulation of forest products in the Riau Islands Province," Hari said.