Ministry Of Transportation Arrests Perpetrators Of Transporting Hundreds Of Illegal Ulin Kayu In East Kalimantan

Officers showed evidence of illegal processed ironwood that was secured during the operation of the Balai Gakkum for the Kalimantan Region of the Ministry of Forestry in Kutai Kertanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, Sunday (23/11/2025) ANTARA/HO-Kemenhut

The Directorate General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Forestry (Gakkum Kemenhut) has secured 200 illegal processed iron bars and the suspect RW who transported the wood in the Kutai Kertanegara Regency, East Kalimantan.

Head of the Balai Gakkum Forestry for the Kalimantan Region of the Ministry of Forestry, Leonardo Gultom, explained that the case began with reports from the public who reported the rampant activities of illegal timber circulation in the Kutai Kartanegara Regency area.

"From the results of the examination, in addition to transporting RW, it is also suspected that he is the owner of an illegal timber business with the mode of cutting and processing wood from within the forest area and illegally buying from other communities to then be accommodated at his home in the Kembang Janggut sub-district and circulated and sold to the Tenggarong area and its surroundings," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, November 27.

He explained that RW and the truck were loaded with hundreds of illegal processed ironwood on Sunday (23/11).

The arrests were made after a team from the Balai Gakkum Kehutanan Region of Kalimantan conducted sweeps and monitoring at location points which were allegedly the illegal timber distribution route.

The suspect RW is threatened with a maximum prison sentence of 5 years and a fine of IDR 2.5 billion.

Director General of Gakkum Kemenhut Dwi Januanto Nugroho explained that law enforcement efforts against illegal logging activities will continue to be carried out consistently in order to provide a deterrent effect and save the use of timber forest products illegally which have an impact on ecological damage.

He said that not only illegal logging damaged the ecosystem but also caused state losses.

"We thank you for the support of all elements of society who have cared about efforts to save forest resources. With good support and collaboration in monitoring and monitoring illegal activities that cause forest damage, I am optimistic that this will give good hope for the sustainability of our forests," he said.