The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the origins of timber swept away by recent floods in Sumatra. This crucial inquiry aims to ascertain if the wood, prominently featured in a viral video circulating online, stems from illegal logging or other illicit activities, especially given previous revelations of widespread illegal timber trade in the affected regions.
According to Dwi Januanto Nugroho, Director General of Law Enforcement (Gakkum) at the Ministry of Forestry, the timber carried by the Sumatran floods could originate from various sources. These include naturally decaying trees, fallen trees, river-borne debris, remnants from legitimate logging operations, or more concerningly, exploitation of land titles held by Pemegang Hak Atas Tanah (PHAT), and outright illegal logging.
He emphasized that Gakkum’s primary objective is to meticulously investigate every indication of environmental transgression and pursue evidence of forestry crimes through established legal channels, ensuring a professional and robust enforcement process.
Addressing prevailing media reports, Nugroho clarified, “Regarding the developing news, I need to emphasize that our explanation was never intended to dismiss the possibility of illegal practices behind the flood-borne timber. Instead, it serves to clarify the diverse sources of wood we are currently investigating and to unequivocally assure that any element of illegal logging will be processed strictly according to applicable regulations.” This statement was quoted by Antara on Monday (30/11).
This rigorous approach is crucial, as Gakkum Kemenhut has already handled numerous cases related to illegal timber laundering in Sumatra’s flood-affected regions throughout 2025. A notable instance occurred in Central Aceh in June 2025, where investigators uncovered unauthorized tree felling by PHAT owners outside their designated land rights areas and official forest zones, seizing approximately 86.60 cubic meters of illegal timber as evidence.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Forestry also exposed logging operations within forest areas, beyond the scope of PHAT entitlements, where timber was transported using fraudulent PHAT documents. This operation, in Solok, West Sumatra, in August 2025, resulted in the seizure of 152 logs, along with 2 excavators and 1 bulldozer used in the illicit activity.
In October 2025, a joint operation by the Directorate General of Law Enforcement (Gakkumhut) and the Forest Area Order Task Force (PKH) in the Mentawai Islands and Gresik led to the confiscation of a staggering 4,610.16 cubic meters of round timber. This significant haul originated from Sipora Forest, with its illicit extraction facilitated by problematic PHAT documents.
Concurrently, in Sipirok, South Tapanuli, also in October 2025, authorities intercepted 4 trucks carrying 44.25 cubic meters of round timber. The accompanying wood documents were found to originate from PHATs that had already been officially frozen, indicating a deliberate attempt to circumvent regulations.
Nugroho highlighted the sophisticated nature of these transgressions, stating, “Forestry crimes are no longer operating in a straightforward manner. Timber from protected forest areas can be illicitly introduced into seemingly legal schemes by exploiting PHAT documents that are either falsified, duplicated, or used under borrowed names. Therefore, our efforts extend beyond merely cracking down on illegal logging in the field; we meticulously trace documents, the flow of goods, and the financial trails underpinning these elaborate criminal networks.”
To counter these sophisticated tactics, the Ministry of Forestry has proactively implemented a moratorium on the Forest Product Administration Information System (SIPuHH) services for timber administration related to PHAT in other use areas (APL). This strategic measure aims to prevent the exploitation of such schemes for the trafficking of illegal timber derived from illicit logging activities.
Summary
The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the origins of timber swept away by recent floods in Sumatra. This inquiry aims to ascertain if the wood, prominently featured in a viral video, stems from illegal logging or other illicit activities, especially given previous revelations of widespread illegal timber trade in the affected regions. Dwi Januanto Nugroho, Director General of Law Enforcement (Gakkum), clarified that while timber could originate from various sources, any element of illegal logging would be processed strictly according to applicable regulations.
Gakkum Kemenhut has already handled numerous cases related to illegal timber laundering in Sumatra throughout 2025, including unauthorized felling outside designated land rights in Central Aceh and the seizure of timber transported with fraudulent documents in Solok, West Sumatra. Forestry crimes are now sophisticated, often using falsified or duplicated land title (PHAT) documents to launder illegal timber from protected areas. To combat these elaborate criminal networks, Kemenhut has implemented a moratorium on the Forest Product Administration Information System (SIPuHH) services for PHAT-related timber administration in other use areas (APL).
