Habitat of Sumatran Tigers Threatened, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Investigates Wood Mafia in TN Bukit Tiga Puluh

Forest police secured evidence of processed wood from illegal logging that was attempted to be washed away in the TNBT area, Riau, on Tuesday (12/5/2026). ANTARA/HO-Kemenhut

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) is investigating the flow of illegal wood from forest encroachment in the Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park (TNBT), Riau, after arresting a suspect who was caught carrying wood from the conservation area.

Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for the Sumatra Region, Hari Novianto, said the suspect with the initials W was suspected of transporting and controlling wood forest products without official documents and carrying out activities that were contrary to the function of natural conservation areas.

"We do not see this as a single case at the level of field actors. Investigators are investigating where the wood was taken, how the wood was removed from the area, where it will be taken, who ordered or accommodated it, and whether there are other parties who benefit from the illegal activity," said Hari in a statement in Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, May 21.

Hari explained that the disclosure of the case began with a security patrol of the TNBT area carried out by the TNBT Forest Police Task Force (Polhut) on May 12, 2026.

During the patrol, officers secured W who was caught in the act of floating processed wood in the national park area.

The suspect and the evidence were then handed over to investigators of the Directorate General of Law Enforcement (Gakkum) of the Ministry of Finance to undergo further legal proceedings.

The evidence seized was in the form of sawn wood in the form of boards, one motorcycle, a mobile phone, and one handy talkie (HT).

According to Hari, the evidence is now also being investigated to trace the pattern of movement and communication that is suspected to be related to the illegal timber circulation network.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Gakkum, Ministry of Social Affairs, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, emphasized that Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park has an important role as a wildlife habitat, including Sumatran tigers, so that illegal logging practices are considered to threaten the balance of the ecosystem.

"TN Bukit Tiga Puluh is an important living space for wildlife, including the Sumatran Tiger. When wood is illegally taken from a national park area, not only the forest cover is disturbed, but also the habitat, the balance of nature, and the protection of life that is in the public interest," said Dwi.