JAKARTA - The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Dittipidter) of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police is investigating the alleged destruction of the environment which is suspected to be the cause of the flood and sedimentation disaster in Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh.
The Director of Special Criminal Investigation of the National Police (Dirtipidter) Brigjen Irhamni said the team had been conducting a search since morning with a focus on the Sumayang River Basin (DAS) area, including the affected locations in Darul Mukhlisin.
"We are matching the wood found in the Darul Mukhlisin area with the area of its head to find out its origin," said Irhamni when giving information, Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
In addition, the team found very high sedimentation at the scene and its surroundings. This condition is suspected to be the cause of the flood that submerged residential areas and public facilities in Aceh Tamiang.
In the follow-up investigation, the team traced the area of Pantai Kera Village, East Aceh Regency, to Simpang Jernih District. From the interim results, the water discharge in the area is still considered high and has the potential to cause flooding if heavy rain occurs.
"We also found a lot of wood that was still scattered around the river and the road in Simpang Jernih. This shows that the area is also a victim of natural disasters," he said.
Irhamni explained that the river flow in Simpang Jernih is suspected to be the meeting of the upstream area of Lesten, Gayo Lues Regency, and Lokop, East Aceh. The wood carried by the flood flow is suspected to come from land clearing activities in protected forest areas.
"Our provisional identification leads to land clearing activities in the Serba Jadi Protected Forest and the Simpang Jernih Protected Forest, both of which are carried out illegally and legally," he explained.
The Criminal Investigation Unit is now trying to collect evidence and information to increase the status of the case to the investigation stage. This process is also supported by community leaders and local officials who help show the locations that are suspected to be the point of opening land.
Regarding sedimentation, Irhamni emphasized that this could happen due to non-compliance with environmental regulations, especially in the land opening process. For legal activities, business actors are required to comply with the provisions of UKL-UPL.
"Especially for land with a slope of more than 40 degrees, it is not allowed to be opened because it is at risk of landslides and sedimentations," he said.
Due to high sedimentation, the river in the Kuala Simpang area has experienced severe silting. The impact, even a short-term rain has caused flooding and mud to enter the homes of residents.
"This condition shows that there is a serious allegation of environmental damage and we are investigating it," he concluded.
Previously, along the Tamiang River, Tamiang Regency, Aceh, it was said that many trees in protected forests were cut down.
At the location, there was illegal logging and land clearing by the community.
"Initial information, upstream of the Tamiang River, there is illegal logging and land clearing activities by the community," said Director of Special Criminal Investigation of the National Police, Brigadier General Mohammad Irhamni,
These trees are suspected to have been cut and piled up on the river bank to be washed away when the water flow increased.
According to him, many large-sized wood were also cut into small pieces so that they could easily be carried away by the current.
"The panglong mechanism, namely the wood is cut, stacked on the banks, then carried away when the water rises like a raft," he said.
Illegal logging in protected forest areas in Aceh Tamiang is suspected to have exacerbated the situation.
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