Banten Police Arrests NGO Chairman Blackmailing Company In Serang For IDR 400 Million

The extortion case for the chairman of the MPL NGO against industrial waste managers at the Banten Police Headquarters, Serang City, Wednesday (11/6/2025). (ANTARA/Devi Nindy)

SERANG - The Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of the Banten Police has named the Head of the Community Organization (NGO) for Environmental Care Community (MPL), MS (51), as a suspect in the alleged extortion of IDR 400 million against industrial waste management companies in Serang Regency.

The Head of Public Relations of the Banten Police, Kombes Didik Hariyanto, said that this arrest was part of the Banten Police's commitment to eradicate thuggery in their jurisdiction.

"One form of thuggery activities was carried out by the Chairman of the MPL NGO by making a report as if there had been environmental pollution by PT Wahana Pamunah Limbah Industri (WPLI)," said Didik during a press conference at the Banten Police Headquarters, Serang City, Wednesday, June 11.

According to Didik, the suspect then reported the alleged pollution to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), then pressured the company to provide organizational development funds of IDR 15 million per month for 20 months, as well as operational funds worth IDR 100 million.

"The total loss borne by PT WPLI reaches Rp. 400 million," said Didik.

Dirreskrimum Polda Banten Kombes Dian Setyawan explained that the chronology of the extortion began with demonstrations and reporting of MPL NGOs since 2017 on suspicion of environmental pollution in Parakan Village, Jawilan, Serang Regency.

The report was followed up with meetings at the Directorate General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. At that time, the MPL NGO had asked for CSR funds of Rp. 25 million to be channeled through them, "explained Dian.

However, because the company chose to distribute it directly to the public through the Parakan Village Office, demands re-emerged in 2020, accompanied by pressure to sign a Joint Statement Letter containing monthly funding.

"With conditions under pressure, the company approved the demands and started providing monthly funds until October 2022," he said.

It did not stop there, in November 2023 the suspect again pressured the company via WhatsApp's message to provide a number of items, including one Toyota Avanza unit, Toyota Sigra, Isuzu Elf, three motorbikes, two computers, two laptops, one printer, and one iPhone 14 Pro Max.

"The request is accompanied by threats to report the company back to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry if it is not fulfilled," added Dian.

MS was arrested on June 5, 2025 at his home in Parakan Village, Jawilan District, Serang Regency. The detention was carried out at the Banten Police Detention Center on the same day.

"The suspect is charged with Article 368 in conjunction with Article 64 of the Criminal Code concerning sustainable acts, with a maximum imprisonment of nine years," said Dian.