Yazid Nurhuda, an official at the ministry, said in Jakarta on Monday that the arrest of a suspect identified as SB followed the earlier detention of a key figure, HK, whose group was responsible for forest damage in Baluran National Park through illegal logging activities.
“We have focused on our role as field controllers by mapping the illegal logging syndicate network, including logging activities in forest areas and the distribution of illegally harvested timber,” Nurhuda said.
SB was arrested by a joint team working with the Situbondo Police on December 26, 2025, in Situbondo after the suspect failed to comply with investigators’ summonses on two occasions.
The case was uncovered following a joint operation to eradicate illegal logging in Baluran National Park in November 2023, which successfully mapped the illegal teak logging and distribution network.
During the operation, several suspects were arrested, including key actor HK on September 23, 2025. His testimony led investigators to identify three additional suspects, including SB, who had previously been placed on the East Java Police wanted list.
The other two suspects are still being pursued as part of ongoing efforts to completely dismantle the illegal logging syndicate.
In connection with the case, authorities have seized hundreds of teak logs, along with various transportation vehicles and wood-processing equipment.
Nurhuda emphasized that Baluran National Park is one of Java’s key conservation areas, known for its distinctive savannah ecosystem and teak forests that play a vital role in protecting soil stability, water sources, and wildlife habitats.
Illegal logging in the area, he said, not only results in the loss of valuable teak but also undermines the park’s function as an ecological buffer, potentially triggering serious environmental consequences if left unaddressed.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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