Aceh Illegal Logging Case Enters Investigation Phase

14 hours ago 8

February 3, 2026 | 05:42 pm

Residents sit among logs in Sekumur village, Sekerak district, Aceh Tamiang regency, Aceh province, Jan. 24, 2026. Antara/Nova Wahyudi

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) has elevated the status of illegal logging and environmental violation cases in Aceh to the investigation stage. A total of seven police reports are currently under investigation.

"Yes (they are under investigation)," said Director of Specific Criminal Acts at Bareskrim Major General Mohammad Irhamni when confirmed on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

The seven cases consist of three environmental violation cases and four illegal logging cases. Irhamni declined to provide detailed information about the cases under investigation. He also did not confirm the names of the suspects in the case, believed to have exacerbated the flash floods in Aceh Tamiang.

Some of the scattered logs in the area around Kuala Simpang, Aceh Tamiang, are suspected to have originated from illegal logging activities in the Simpang Jernih and Serbajadi Protected Forest areas in Aceh Timur. The Directorate of Certain Crimes (Dittipidter) team is still investigating the parties suspected of engaging in illegal logging in that protected forest area. Some of the timber found at the scene is from forest trees, such as meranti.

In addition to Kuala Simpang, scattered logs are also found in Baling Karang Village, Aceh Tamiang. The timber in this location is also suspected to have originated from illegal logging activities in the Serbajadi and Simpang Jernih Protected Forest areas in Aceh Timur, which is in the upstream area of Tamiang River.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo previously mentioned that the Bareskrim is investigating two companies for environmental crimes in Aceh. "In Aceh, we have elevated two corporations, both of which are currently still under investigation," said Sigit during a meeting with the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission III at the House of Representatives Building, Senayan, on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Sigit did not provide any details regarding the two companies under investigation by Bareskrim. These two companies are suspected of clearing land in the Tamiang river basin, which stretches between Aceh Tamiang Regency and Aceh Timur Regency.

Read: Aceh Governor Ends Emergency Response Period

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