JAKARTA - Minister of Forestry (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni emphasized that there would be severe punishment for Sumatran elephant hunters who were found without heads in Riau.
"I appeal and hope that this brutal and criminal incident is the last to happen in Riau. If we read in the law, the punishment is not light," said Minister of Finance Raja Antoni, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, March 4.
He emphasized that the country is committed to protecting protected wildlife from organized crime.
Menhut Raja Antoni also regretted that this brutal and illegal practice was still happening, even though the Sumatran elephant is a very protected animal and is of special concern to the government.
"We strongly deplore this brutal and illegal practice," he said.
Regarding the disclosure of this case, the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) together with the Riau Police has named 15 people as suspects, eight of whom are in Riau Province, the other seven are networks outside Riau, and three are still on the wanted list (DPO).
The suspects have different roles, ranging from ivory trade intermediaries, financiers, to couriers.
"Alhamdulillah, in this good month, with the close cooperation and extraordinary synergy between the police, forest police, and the hall, 15 suspects have been determined," said Raja Antoni.
Menhut also appreciated the professionalism of the apparatus in dismantling the network. He also emphasized that the state would not remain silent against wildlife crime.
"Please broadcast to the public that the state will be present to protect wildlife," he said.
As a form of appreciation, the Ministry of Forestry gave an award to the Riau Police for their work in uncovering the case.
"I hope this incident will be the last incident where there are no more people playing around with the existence of protected animals," he added.
For information, the perpetrators are applied for Article 40A paragraph (1) letters d and f of Law No. 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning KSDAE, sentenced to imprisonment for a minimum of three years and a maximum of 15 years and a fine of at least Rp. 200,000,000, and at most Rp. 5,000,000,000.
Furthermore, Article 306 of Law No. 1 Th 2023 concerning the Criminal Code is sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison and Article 21 paragraph (1) letter a of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code is sentenced to 2/3 of the maximum threat of the main criminal penalty.
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