Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry and the National Police have formed a joint task force to investigate timber swept away by floods in several Sumatran regions, officials said Thursday.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the team was established under a memorandum of understanding between the ministry and the police, integrating forest management with law enforcement and the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH), which is responsible for monitoring and enforcing regulations in protected forest zones.
“The task force will trace the timber’s origin. If criminal activity is detected, we will pursue strict legal action,” Antoni told lawmakers during a parliamentary hearing with Commission IV in Jakarta.
Officials are using drones and the Automatic Timber Identification Tool (AIKO) to analyze wood types, physical characteristics, and signs of human handling.
“The analysis results will guide investigations with the police and Satgas PKH, ensuring a transparent process to identify the timber’s source,” Antoni added.
He said authorities have also identified several legal entities that may have contributed to the flooding.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Martha Herlinawati Siman
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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