Apply The Overlaying Article To Forest Destruction Actors In Karawang, KLHK: 10 Years Of Maximum Crime And A Fine Of IDR 7.5 Billion

Photo: Doc. Antara/KLHK

The Balai Gakkum of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has applied layered articles to perpetrators of environmental destruction and destruction of production forest areas in the Karawang Regency, West Java.

Head of Balai Gakkum KLHK Jawa Nusa Tenggara (Jabalnusra) Taqiuddin said cases of environmental destruction and destruction of production forest areas that occurred in Karawang Regency were immediately tried.

The case of environmental destruction and destruction of state forests in Simargalih V Hamlet, RT.16/RW.05, Parungmulya Village, Ciampel District, Karawang, is part of the working area of Perum Perhutani KPH Purwakarta, Teluk Jambe BKPH.

For this matter, his party transferred the case to the Karawang District Attorney. The case file was later declared complete by the Karawang Kejari investigating prosecutor on November 14, 2022.

The suspect in the case had the initials MU (46), a resident of Sofi Resident Housing, Sukasari Village, Purwasari District, Karawang, West Java.

In addition to the suspect, the investigative team also handed over a number of evidence related to cases of environmental destruction and destruction of state forests in the working area of Perum Perhutani KPH Purwakarta, BKPH Teluk Jambe.

"The Ministry of Environment and Forestry Gakkum will take firm action against perpetrators of environmental and forestry crimes including perpetrators of environmental destruction and destruction of forest areas in order to provide a deterrent effect," he said, in a statement quoted by Antara, Sunday, December 4.

In handling this case, investigators from Balai Gakkum Jabalnusra apply multiple crimes, namely Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management and Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry in conjunction with Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation.

According to Taqiuddin, investigators ensnared the perpetrators for managing B3 waste without a permit and using forest areas without a permit.

For his actions, the perpetrators will be subject to allegations of Article 98 paragraph (1) and/or Article 104 of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management with a maximum imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum fine of Rp. 10 billion and Article 50 paragraph (3) letter a and Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry as amended in Article 50 paragraph (2) letter a in conjunction with Article 78 paragraph (2) of Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation.

"The threat is a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum fine of Rp. 7.5 billion," said Taqiuddin.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Law Enforcement at LHK, Rasio Ridho Sani, said that multi-layered (multidoor) crimes against suspects were imposed so that there would be a deterrent effect for environmental criminals.

"The perpetrators are not only subject to the RI Law on Environmental Protection and Management but are also subject to the Indonesian Forestry Law. Criminal acts of waste disposal and destruction of the environment and forest areas must be punished severely," he said.

His party will not compromise, and will take firmer action against perpetrators of environmental and forest destruction.

It is stated that the crime of managing illegal B3 waste is a serious crime because it has an impact not only on environmental pollution but also on public health.

"This layered criminal act must serve as a warning and a lesson for other parties, because it will receive multiple and very severe punishments," said Ratio Ridho Sani.