Batam Customs Prevents Trade Of 1,250 Meranti Wood Balok Without Documents

A total of 1,250 Meranti wood blocks were transported by the KM Rasidin ship from Tanjung Samak, Meranti Riau to Batam, which was secured by Batam Customs because they did not have SKKH documents, Wednesday (3/12/2025). BETWEEN/HO-Bea Excise Batam

Batam Customs and Excise, Riau Islands, prevented the illegal timber trade by securing 1,250 meranti logs without documents brought from Meranti Riau Regency to Batam using the KM Rasidin ship.

Batam Customs and Excise Head Zaky Firmansyah said the illegal timber shipment was detected by the Batam Customs Marine Patrol Team in Hangop Island Waters, Lingga Regency, two days ago.

"The Batam Customs Marine Patrol Team managed to secure KM Rasidin in the waters of Hangop Island, which transports wood cargo without official documents," Zaky said in a confirmed statement in Batam, Antara, Friday, December 5.

He explained that KM Rasidin brought four crew members. From the results of the initial inspection, the ship departed from Tanjung Samak, Meranti, Riau, to Batam.

Because it was not accompanied by official documents in the form of a Legal Certificate on the Results of the Kayu/Not Kayu Forest (SKKH), the evidence and the KM Rasidin ship were immediately secured for further investigation.

"We have disbursed evidence, the number of wood blocks transported reached 1,250 pieces," he said.

After being secured, said Zaky, the next step was for the crew along with evidence and the ship to be handed over to Lajahidi as the Coordinator of the Batam KPHL Unit II Forest Police for further legal proceedings by the authorities in the forestry sector.

He emphasized that this prevention is very important considering that illegal timber trading not only harms the state in terms of revenue and trading of forest products but also has an impact on environmental sustainability.

"Especially if it comes from logging without a permit. This activity can trigger natural disasters such as floods and landslides," he said.

Zaky emphasized that the role of monitoring the Batam Customs and Excise also contributed to environmental sustainability. Moreover, recently there have been natural disasters in a number of areas due to environmental damage.

"The supervision of Batam Customs is not only aimed at enforcing the law, but also ensuring that trade activities do not damage the ecosystem," said Zaky.