Kemenhut Stops Forest Perambahan for Plantation in Wajo South Sulawesi

Drone photo of the production forest area that was cleared to be turned into a garden without valid documents in Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi, Thursday (26/2/2026) ANTARA/HO-Kemenhut

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has succeeded in stopping encroachment activities in production forest areas in Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi (South Sulawesi) which is suspected of being carried out to convert it into a plantation area.

Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkum) for the Sulawesi Region, Ali Bahri, said that his party together with the Regional Technical Implementation Unit of the Forest Management Unit (UPTD KPH) Awota carried out the action in Passelloreng Village and found that encroachment had been carried out on land with an area of about 9 hectares.

"Production forest areas still have an important role in maintaining ecological balance and sustainable forest management. Any form of utilization of forest areas must have a valid permit and legal basis," said Head of the Sulawesi Regional Gakkum Office Ali.

"We appeal to the public not to carry out activities in forest areas without legality, because the legal consequences are very serious and have the potential to cause environmental damage in the long term," he continued.

He explained that during the enforcement activity, the team found two heavy equipment operators with initials A and SY who were operating two excavators to clear the land. At the same location, a man with the initials S was also secured who acted as a field supervisor.

The land opening is known to aim to change the function of the forest area into a plantation area. The activity is carried out without legal documents for the use of forest areas.

Based on the results of the investigation and the title of the case, S was named a suspect because he was suspected of playing an active role in coordinating and overseeing land clearing activities within the forest area. For his actions, the suspect is threatened with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp. 5 billion.