Gakkum Sulawesi Arrests Village Head Who Is Suspected Of Encroaching Conservation Forest For Nature Reserves

Atmospheres of additional and forest fires in the CA Conservation Forest Area Faruhumpenai, Mantadalu Village, East Luwu Regency/ANTARA

MAKASSAR - The Center for Environmental and Forestry Law Security and Enforcement (Gakkum) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) of the Sulawesi Region arrested two perpetrators suspected of destroying, adding and burning forests in the Faruhumpenai Nature Reserve Conservation Forest (CA) area, East Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi. "The two perpetrators have been named as suspects, each with the initials AA as the Head of Mantadalu Village and SR as a local community leader," said Head of Balai Gakkum KLHK Sulawesi Region Aswin Bangun when confirmed, Antara, Tuesday, July 18. The determination of AA (49) as a suspect was due to his participating in the CA Conservation Forest extension activity Faruhumpenai by abusing his position as Head of Mantadulu Village, East Luwu Regency. The method is to make a statement on behalf of the community but it is known that he as the local village head is the basis for community members to make additions by planting palm oil in the forest area. This case stems from a public report on the existence of additional activities in the CA Faruhumpenai Conservation Forest Area. Furthermore, the team from the Gakkum KLHK Region of Sulawesi followed up on the community's report by conducting a hand arrest operation on June 19, 2023 at around 13.00. WITA During the operation, the team secured the salag of a perpetrator with the initials SR, known to a community leader in Mantadulu Village on suspicion of using and or occupying forest areas illegally by burning forests. Furthermore, the operating team handed over SR to investigators from the Sulawesi Region of the Balai Gakkum KLHK. From the results of the development and examination of investigators, SR is suspected of having added the CA Conservation Forest Area Faruhumpenai. This is based on a statement letter on behalf of the community signed by the village head.

The two suspects AA and SR were charged with Law number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry which was amended in paragraph 4 of forestry articles 35 points 19, articles 78 paragraph (3) and (4) Juncto number 17 articles 50 paragraph (2) letters a and b and Law of the Republic of Indonesia number 6 of 2023 concerning Stipulation of Government Regulations in Lieu or Perppu.