Kemenhut Names PT GTP as Suspect in Corporate Case of Deforestation in Batam

Perambahan Kawasan Hutan Lindung Tanjung Piayu, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau. (dok Kemenhut)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry has named PT GTP as a corporate suspect in the case of alleged encroachment of the Tanjung Piayu Protected Forest Area, Batam City, Riau Islands.

The company is suspected of opening protected forest areas without permission by using heavy equipment to build roads and excavate hills.

The determination of the suspect was carried out through the Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Office for Sumatra, the Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum Kehutanan). This step is part of the commitment of the Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni to strengthen law enforcement against forest crimes, including when violations are committed by business entities.

The policy is aimed at maintaining forest area protection, providing legal certainty, and encouraging sustainable forest governance.

Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, emphasized that law enforcement should not stop at the perpetrators in the field if there is an alleged involvement of corporations.

"Law enforcement should not stop at the perpetrators in the field. When a corporation is suspected of controlling, benefiting from, or being responsible for the encroachment of forest areas, then criminal accountability must be directed to the corporation in accordance with applicable laws. There is no good forest governance without strong and integrity law enforcement. Likewise, law enforcement will not be effective if it does not become a gateway for comprehensive improvement of forest governance," said Dwi in Jakarta, Tuesday, July 28.

Based on the results of the investigation, PT GTP is suspected of using heavy equipment to open access roads and dredging hills within the Tanjung Piayu Protected Forest area. The material from the dredging is then used as a stockpile.

The results of the crime scene investigation and expert testimony showed that the activity had caused the opening of land of around 1.98 hectares. The road built has a length of around 897 meters with a width of between 7 and 11 meters, resulting in damage to the function of the protected forest area.

The investigation was conducted by the Civil Servant Investigator (PPNS) of the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for the Sumatra Region, Section II of Pekanbaru, together with the PPNS Supervision Coordinator of the Riau Islands Police. During the investigation process, the team examined 12 witnesses and asked for information from two experts, namely experts in mapping and strengthening forest areas and experts in land and environmental damage.

Before designating PT GTP as a corporate suspect, investigators held a case with the Korwas PPNS Polda Kepulauan Riau on July 21, 2026. The status of the suspect was determined after investigators obtained at least two valid pieces of evidence.

Dwi emphasized that law enforcement against corporations is not merely to impose criminal sanctions, but also to be an instrument to improve forest governance.

"Legal certainty is an important foundation for the protection of forest areas as well as providing guarantees for businesses that carry out activities in compliance. Enforcement of laws against corporations is not merely to punish violations, but to ensure that forest resources are managed responsibly, fairly, and sustainably," he continued.

In this case, PT GTP is suspected of violating Article 78 paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 50 paragraph (2) letter a of Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023. The threat of punishment is in the form of imprisonment for a maximum of 10 years and/or a fine of category VI of IDR 2 billion.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for the Sumatra Region, Hari Novianto, said investigators were still investigating the involvement of other parties in the case, including the decision-making process within the company.

"The designation of PT GTP as a suspect is the result of a series of meticulous investigations through the examination of witnesses, expert testimony, collection of evidence, and the title of the case with the Korwas PPNS Polda Kepulauan Riau. Investigators continue to delve into the involvement of parties, including the decision-making process in the corporation and parties who benefit from the activities, so that handling this case can uncover the entire series of events comprehensively," said Hari.