JAKARTA - The Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for Sulawesi Region of the Ministry of Forestry has named two suspects in alleged illegal logging in the Mangolo Nature Park area, Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, after officers found dozens of trees being cut down in the conservation area.
"The perpetrators have initials ES and AA. The results of the investigators' examination, the two suspects are suspected of illegally logging around 23 trees in a period of approximately three days," said Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkum) for the Sulawesi Region Ali Bahri through a press release received in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Sunday.
Officers secured evidence in the form of dozens of processed ulin wood, two parang blades, and two units of machine saws that were allegedly used for illegal logging activities in the conservation area.
The arrest began when the routine patrol of the South Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Agency on Thursday (30/4) around the TWA Mangolo area. Officers found a pile of wood around the Sakuli Dam.
Because they suspected the origin of the wood, the officers traced the forest area and heard the sound of a machine saw from the inside of the conservation area. The officers then arrested ES when he was suspected of engaging in illegal logging activities.
When ES was taken out of the location, officers heard the sound of a machine saw from another direction inside the area. After being traced, officers found AA who was about to leave the location.
AA admitted that the pile of wood found earlier was the result of his logging. The two suspects were then secured to the Kendari Post Office, Section I Makassar, Forestry Office of the Sulawesi Region, to undergo further legal proceedings.
According to Ali, ES admitted that the wood was used for the renovation of his house. Meanwhile, AA admitted that the results of the logging of the wood were planned to be sold.
The two suspects are suspected of violating Article 40B paragraph (1) letter e in conjunction with Article 33 paragraph (2) letter e of Law Number 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Natural Living Resources and Ecosystems.
They are threatened with a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum fine of Rp5 billion.
"The Sulawesi Forestry Gakkum Office has processed this case seriously and strengthened synergy with the Southeast Sulawesi BKSDA and related agencies so that violations in conservation areas are quickly detected, quickly stopped, and do not recur," he said.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, said law enforcement in conservation areas was part of the state's responsibility in maintaining environmental balance.
"Forest is not only a place for trees to grow. Forests are living spaces for animals, water guards, soil retention, air cooling, and human safety protection," said Dwi.
The action against illegal logging in conservation areas, said Januanto, sends a message that the state is on the side of public interests and future generations. Because, conservation areas have a protection mandate that cannot be negotiated.
"Law enforcement must send a clear message that taking forest products illegally in conservation areas is a serious violation of public interest. The state is on the side of the community, the animals who lose their living space, and the future generations who have the right to inherit a forest that is still intact," he added.
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