Regency Government Explores Reports Of Allegations Of Mukomuko DPRD Persons Involved In Illegal Forest Addition

Illustration of forest additions.

The Mukomuko Regency Forest Management Unit (KPH) is facing a serious report regarding the alleged addition of a limited production forest area (HPT) without permission by unscrupulous members of the Mukomuko DPRD.

The Head of Lubuk Selandak Village and village institutions have submitted a report regarding this activity.

"Yesterday, we received the first report regarding the opening of a new land in Lubuk Selandak Village, and forest officials (Polhut) had gone to the location. The following day, they reported to KPH that there were unscrupulous council members involved in the opening of the HPT," said Head of KPH Mukomuko Regency, Aprin Sihaloho, in Mukomuko, Bengkulu, Tuesday 19 December.

He confirmed the receipt of two reports related to land clearing in forest areas that allegedly involved members of the council.

Sihaloho emphasized that his party would conduct a thorough investigation regarding reports from the village head and institution. Although preliminary information shows that the public knows the identities of the council members involved, they are currently not actively involved in these activities.

However, Polhut will look for facts on the ground and ensure the area of HPT that has been opened for oil palm plantations.

According to him, KPH officers have spoken with workers within the HPT area, and they claim that the land is not a new land, but has existed for a long time.

However, the KPH will conduct further investigations and conduct direct inspections at the location of the forest area that has been opened for oil palm plantations.

He also explained that the HPT area near Lubuk Selandak Village had been proposed for the social forestry program. However, before the official permit is granted, management remains a forestry responsibility.

"Although there are plans to transfer management to villages, we would like to emphasize that anarchic actions are not allowed, because the authority of villages and village institutions has not yet been implemented until official permits are granted," he said.

"This investigation has an important impact on environmental conservation and sustainability of forest management in Mukomuko Regency. We will continue to monitor the progress of this investigation," he said.