KLHK takes action against 55 containers containing illegally processed wood from Kalimantan – 2024-03-24 04:37:34

Gakkum LHK has once more succeeded in securing 55 containers containing processed wood of the Ulin, Meranti, Bengkirai and Mixed Forest types totaling ± 767 m3 (Antara)

ON March 2-8 2024, the Directorate General of Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement (Gakkum LHK) once more succeeded in confiscating 55 containers containing ± 767 m3 of processed Ulin, Meranti, Bengkirai and Mixed Forest wood at Teluk Lamong Harbor, Surabaya City, East Java .

Director General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ratio Ridho Sani, stated that the operation to crack down on illegal wood at Teluk Lamong Port, Surabaya, was a follow-up to public complaints regarding the alleged circulation of illegal wood transported using the MV Pekan Fajat ship and the KM Pratiwi Raya ship from Tanjung Redep Port, Berau. , East Kalimantan Province destination of Teluk Lamong Port.

“Based on this information, the LHK Gakkum Team carried out intelligence activities and analyzed SIPUHH data. The wood is suspected to have come from illegal logging,” said Ratio in an official statement, Wednesday (20/3).

Following up on the results of intelligence analysis, on March 2 2024 an ambush was carried out and secured 44 containers loaded with processed wood totaling ± 606 m3 which were transported using the MV PEKAN FAJAR. Then once more on March 7 2024, 11 containers loaded with processed wood totaling ± 161 m3 were seized which were transported using the KM PRATIWI RAYA ship.

After checking the 55 containers, it was discovered that 48 containers contained Chainsaw Processed Wood (pacakan) with fake Forest Product Certificate (SKSHH) documents and flying SKSHH. Meanwhile, seven other containers contained processed bandsaw sawn wood, the validity of which SKSHH documents were being validated.

Currently, evidence in the form of processed wood of various sizes and fake SKSHH wood documents have been secured at the SPIL Tambak Langon Depot, Surabaya.

Also read: KLHK Gakkum Finds New Mode of Illegal Logging in Papuan Forests

Ratio said that the action taken today is very important to save Natural Resources (SDA), as well as Indonesia’s commitment to controlling climate change through FOLU NET SINK 2030.

“We must ensure that the wealth of the Indonesian nation is sustainable and maximizes the prosperity of the people. We must protect forests, people’s lives and state revenues. No compromise. I have ordered Gakkum LHK investigators to investigate and carry out investigations into the parties involved in the crime of illegal timber distribution and illegal logging, including timber financiers and/or the main beneficiaries (beneficial ownership) of illegal timber crimes from Kalimantan. This illegal timber crime network must be dismantled. “They are taking advantage by destroying forests, causing harm to the country and threatening people’s lives,” stressed Ratio.

The perpetrators are suspected of violating the provisions of Article 83 Paragraph (1) letter b Jo Article 12 letter e and/or Article 88 Paragraph (1) letter a Jo Article 16 and/or Article 88 Paragraph (1) letter b Jo Article 14 letter b of the Law Number 18 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction (P3H) as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning the Determination of Perpu Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation, with a maximum criminal threat of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp. 15 billion.

Also read: KLHK’s Gakkum Takes Action Against Timber Industry Managers Without Permits in West Sulawesi

Ratio Sani added that firm action must be taken so that there is a deterrent effect, I have also ordered investigators, so that the perpetrators are not only prosecuted under the P3H Law. The perpetrators must be charged with a Money Laundering Crime (TPPU) investigation. Environmental crimes and forestry crimes are predicate crimes from TPPU.

“We will immediately coordinate and ask for support from the Financial Transaction Analysis Center (PPATK) to investigate the flow of financial transactions from illegal timber crimes from Kalimantan. We believe that by following the money, other actors will be known. “I have asked investigators to look into corporate crimes and take action once morest money laundering,” said Ratio.

Meanwhile, Plt. Director of Prevention and Security at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Sustyo Iriyono, stated that this operation was one of the biggest cases of the use of fake SKSHH documents and flying SKSHH for the transportation of Chainsaw Processed Wood (pacan) which was distributed to Surabaya, Gresik, Yogyakarta, Banten, Bali and surrounding areas.

Also read: Two Suspected Directors of Illegal Timber Owners from Papua Immediately Tried in Absentia

The results of our SIPUHH analysis show that the fake SKSHH originated/issued from Primary Industries UD LI, UD MJ, AK, UD HB, UD UJ, UD WL located in Berau Regency and East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan Province. The mode of using the SKSHH number has been used before and comes from the areas of Sijunjung, Kapuas Hulu, Dharmasraya, Temangung, Gresik, Demak, Banjarbaru, Muara Teweh, Martapura, Konawe, Musi Banyuasin, Jayapura, Tangerang, Mentawai, PPU, Asahan, Pasuruan , Konut, Deli Serdang, Biak, Brebes, Demak, Kerom, Tabalong, Tenggarong, and Gresik.

Sustyo added that his party believes that these illegal perpetrators are not yet deterred and will always try various ways to commit crimes and seek profits by destroying Indonesia’s natural forest resources, especially the remaining forests of Kalimantan.

“We are very grateful for the collaboration and support from stakeholders (KPK, East Java Prosecutor’s Office, East Java Regional Police, East Java Forestry Service, BPHL Region VII, Lantamal V Surabaya, KSOP, Pelindo) and the community in efforts to eradicate these illegal activities,” added Sustyo.

Also read: KLHK-Joint Team Secures Hundreds of Illegal Logs in Kuantan Singingi

Ratio Sani added that he had formed a special team to investigate this case and ordered investigators to apply multi-layered penalties so that the perpetrators, especially the beneficiaries (beneficial owners), of this crime were punished as severely as possible. They are perpetrators of extraordinary crimes because they seek profit and wealth by destroying the environment, causing harm to society and the country. There must be a deterrent effect so that it becomes an example for other perpetrators, said Ratio.

In the previous illegal wood case, Ratio Sani added that Gakkum LHK investigators had also completed investigations into 59 containers of illegal wood originating from Nabire Papua which were transported using KM Verizon and KM Hijau Jelita at Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya. The East Java High Prosecutor’s Office stated that the case files of 5 CV corporations.

The following are 5 corporations whose files are complete (P-21) and have received a verdict from the Surabaya District Court judge, as follows:

1. Defendant I CV AM was sentenced to a fine of IDR 10 billion and the closure of the CV AM company, Defendant II, the manager of CV AM (Br. Amir) was sentenced to 7 years in prison and a fine of IDR. 10 billion, subsidiary to 3 months imprisonment.
2. Defendant I CV GF was sentenced to a fine of Rp. 12 billion, Defendant II, the manager of CV GF (Sdri. Mei Lani Morin) was sentenced to 9 years in prison, subsidiary to 6 months in prison.
3. Defendant I PT GMP was sentenced to a fine of Rp. 10 billion and an additional penalty for closing the PT GMP company, Defendant II, the management of PT GMP (Br. Deni Sipandan) was sentenced to 7 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 6 billion, subsidiary to 6 months imprisonment.
4. Defendant I CV WS was sentenced to a fine of Rp. 10 billion and an additional penalty for closing the CV WS company, Defendant II, the CV WS administrator (Br. Peles YS Makai, S.AB) was sentenced to 8 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 7 billion, subsidiary to 6 months imprisonment.
5. Defendant I PT EDP was sentenced to a fine of Rp. 10 billion and an additional penalty for closing the company PT EDP, Defendant II, the management of PT EDP (Br. Sri Genyo) was sentenced to 6 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 6 billion, subsidiary to 6 months imprisonment.

“We appreciate the Public Prosecutor of the East Java Prosecutor’s Office and the Surabaya Prosecutor’s Office and the decision of the Surabaya District Court. “This decision should be a lesson for other criminals,” concluded Ratio.

So far, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has carried out 2,103 environmental and forestry security operations and 1,510 environmental and forestry crime cases have been brought to court. (Z-3)