Kepri Police Reveals Land Mafia Case on Rempang Island

The Criminal Investigation Unit of the North Sumatra Police released the land mafia case on Rempang Island, Batam City, North Sumatra, Thursday (5/2/2026) (ANTARA/Laily Rahmawaty)

BATAM - The Riau Islands Regional Police (Polda Kepri) has uncovered a land mafia case on Rempang Island with the suspect being the President Director of PT Agrilindo Estate (AE), while the victim is the Batam Enterprise Agency (BP).

In this case, BP Batam was harmed because it could not utilize or manage land with an area of 175.39 hectares (ha) occupied by the suspect since the permit was revoked by the Ministry of Environment in 2023.

"The suspect with the initials BY who is the President Director of PT AE, and the victim is BP Batam or a representation of the government," said Head of Public Relations of the Riau Islands Police, Kombes Nona Pricilia Ohei at the Riau Islands Police Headquarters, Batam City, Thursday, February 5, reported by ANTARA.

Nona explained that this case was reported by BP Batam on September 15, 2023, had examined 18 witnesses, and five expert witnesses, and seized 43 pieces of evidence in the form of documents.

"This case has been implemented in phase II (the transfer of suspects and evidence to the Batam District Attorney's Office on February 4, 2026)," said Nona.

Furthermore, the Director of the Kepri Regional Police, Kombes Pol. Ronni Bonic explained the modus operandi of this case was that the suspect as the Director of PT AE without the right to work, use and / or occupy land without permission from the BPBatamseluas 175.39 ha, which is located on Rempang Island even though he has received a letter of order for the demolition of existing buildings at the location.

This case, he said, started with the issuance of the Environmental Service Utilization Business Permit for Provision of Water Tourism Facilities (IUPJLPSWA) on behalf of PT AE in the production forest area that can be converted on Rempang Island with an area of 175.39 ha by the Investment and One-Stop Service Agency of the Riau Islands Province on February 17, 2021.

Then on January 6, 2023, the Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) issued Decree Number 2 concerning the change of the UPJLPSWA into a Forest Utilization Business Permit (PBPH) on behalf of PT AE with an area of 175.39 Ha.

Then on June 23, 2023, the Minister of LHK issued a decision letter (SK) as follows: SK Number 056 concerning the revocation of the IUPJLPSWA on behalf of PT AE issued by PTSP Kepri and SK Number 657 concerning the revocation of the PBPH on behalf of PT AE issued by the Minister of LHK.

Regarding the Minister of LHK's decision, he continued, the revocation of PT AE's permit has been tested in the State Administrative Court (PTUN) in 2023 in Jakarta.

"With the decision stating that the lawsuit filed by PT AE is rejected, so that the revocation of the permit by the Minister of LHK is declared valid and has legal force," he said.

Ronni continued, the Minister of LHK has revoked the permits held by PT AE to manage or utilize forest areas that should have been left by PT AE, but still work, use or occupy forest areas illegally.

Based on the PTUN's decision, he continued, on July 3, 2023 BP Batam carried out the installation of a barrier with the location in the HPK release process and asked PT AE to stop activities and vacate the location.

"However, PT AE still controls the land," he said.

BP Batam has issued a notice and order to demolish twice on September 19, 2023 and June 3, 2024, but PT AE has not yet agreed to vacate the location or still control the land.

Because the deadline given by BP Batam has expired, PT AE still controls the land and does not want to vacate the location.

Ronni said the suspect was suspected of violating Article 50 paragraph (2) letter a in conjunction with Article 78 paragraph (3) of Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning the Regulation of the Government to replace Law Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation to replace the law.

Which reads that everyone is prohibited from working, using, or occupying forest areas illegally in a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of Rp. 7.5 billion.

Then it is also suspected of Article 127 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 1946 concerning the Criminal Law Regulation, which is threatened with a penalty of 9 months.

Reporter : Laily Rahmawaty