Forestry Minister Raja Juli has sought the assistance of the National Police to investigate the origin of wood debris carried by floodwaters in several areas across Sumatra. This urgent request was made during a significant meeting with National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
The crucial meeting was convened in direct response to growing public concern regarding the substantial quantities of timber discovered at disaster sites. Raja Juli clarified that this collaborative effort is underpinned by a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two key institutions.
He emphasized that the government is determined to ensure a swift and thorough investigation, especially if any suspected legal violations or illegal logging activities are uncovered.
“Based on that MoU, we aim to address the public’s concern that has emerged in recent days following the floods – namely, the public’s desire to know the definitive origin of the wood material carried by the floodwaters,” Raja Juli explained at the National Police Headquarters on Thursday (April 12).
He further mentioned that the government has already gathered initial data through extensive aerial surveillance using drones in the flood-affected regions. Additionally, AICO technology is being strategically employed to identify the unique characteristics of the wood, serving as an early indicator of the material’s potential source location. Despite these advanced efforts, he stressed that no definitive data regarding the exact source of the wood has yet been confirmed.
“We sincerely hope that through continued, robust cooperation with the Indonesian National Police, we can swiftly uncover the origins of this timber, and certainly, if any criminal elements are found, we will enforce the law together with full commitment,” Raja Juli reiterated.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo affirmed that his institution warmly welcomes this vital collaborative effort. He noted that the recent emergence of significant wood findings has drawn the direct attention of the President, as these are strongly suspected to be linked to extensive infrastructure damage and tragic fatalities caused by the devastating floods.
“We will collaborate to form a joint task force specifically dedicated to investigating these timber findings, which are unfortunately suspected to have contributed to the destruction of several bridges and homes, as well as the irreplaceable loss of lives,” Sigit stated emphatically.
He stressed that the comprehensive investigation will span from upstream to downstream areas, leaving no stone unturned. Police personnel have already been strategically deployed to various key locations and will seamlessly join forces with teams from the Ministry of Forestry and other relevant task forces to ensure a coordinated response.
Raja Juli added that the specialized teams are actively working in the field, and transparent updates on the investigation’s progress will be regularly communicated to the public.
“In parallel, the police have already been deployed to the Garuga and Anggoli areas, two critical river basins located in Batang Toru. However, regarding the specific, concrete details, I believe it’s best to allow the dedicated teams to work synergistically first and gather all necessary information,” he concluded.
Summary
Forestry Minister Raja Juli has requested the National Police’s assistance to investigate the source of wood debris carried by floodwaters in Sumatra. This urgent request, made during a meeting with Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, addresses public concern over the substantial amount of timber found at disaster sites. The collaboration, based on a prior Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims for a swift and thorough investigation into any potential legal violations or illegal logging activities.
Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo welcomed this vital effort, noting the President’s concern regarding the wood’s suspected link to infrastructure damage and fatalities caused by the floods. A joint task force will be formed to investigate the timber findings comprehensively, from upstream to downstream areas. Initial data has been gathered using drones and AICO technology, and police personnel have been deployed to key river basins, including Garuga and Anggoli, to uncover the definitive origins of the timber.
