Indonesia launches joint probe into illegal logging after floods kill more than 800 people
Police and Ministry of Forestry have formed joint investigative teams to trace the origins of logs found after recent floods and landslides in Sumatra, amid growing concerns over suspected illegal logging and its role in worsening natural disasters.
- National Police and Ministry of Forestry have formed investigative teams to trace the origins of timber suspected to be linked to illegal logging in Sumatra.
- The move follows severe flash floods and landslides that carried large volumes of logs downstream.
- Officials and experts highlight the need for decisive enforcement to prevent environmental degradation and future disasters.
INDONESIA: The Deputy Chief of the Indonesian National Police, Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo, confirmed that a team has been formed to investigate alleged illegal logging in West Sumatra.
According to his statement on 4 December 2025 in Padang, the Criminal Investigation Department will work with the regional police to pursue the allegations.
He delivered the remarks during an inspection of the Ante Mortem Post at Bhayangkara Hospital in Padang.
He noted that the joint team would deepen inquiries into logging activities suspected to have contributed to environmental degradation.
Rising fatalities deepen questions over deforestation, illegal logging
According to reports, public scrutiny intensified after a flash flood recently struck West Sumatra.
The floodwaters carried mud, debris, and numerous tree trunks, prompting renewed concern about deforestation and forest mismanagement.
Dedi stated that the police, as law enforcement authorities, will not remain passive when faced with credible information on illegal activity.
He emphasised that the investigation aims to ensure accountability and uphold environmental protection laws.
The Chair of Commission IV of the House of Representatives, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, previously highlighted similar concerns during a visit to Padang on 30 November 2025.
According to her remarks, any unlawful activity that damages ecosystems must be eradicated.
She stressed that illicit logging or mining in upstream areas has serious consequences for communities downstream.
She then added that if existing permits in those areas are found to be problematic, they should be revoked to prevent further harm.
The Ministry of Forestry also announced a parallel investigation into the origins of the logs carried by floodwaters in several parts of Sumatra.
According to a report by AntaraNews, Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the probe follows a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry and the police.
He explained that the joint team will work with the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force to trace the source of the timber.
He further stated that any criminal elements identified will be processed with strict legal measures.
The Ministry has conducted river surveys using drones to monitor affected watershed areas.
It has also deployed the Automatic Wood Identification Tool to analyse timber characteristics, including evidence of human-related cutting.
Raja Juli said the data will form part of the joint investigation, which is intended to inform the public transparently about the origins of the logs.
He added that instructions from senior government officials have urged a rapid and thorough response.
Experts warn human activity may have worsened deadly floods
Landslides in South Tapanuli and Central Tapanuli in North Sumatra further heightened concern about forest conditions in the region.
Large and small logs scattered across disaster zones triggered questions about whether the materials resulted from natural tree fall or human activity.
An expert in forest policy, Prof Dodik Ridho Nurochmat, explained on the IPB University website that the logs likely come from a mix of natural and anthropogenic factors.
He noted that images show a variety of log sizes, though it is not possible to distinguish clearly between clean cuts and natural breakage.
His explanation indicates that such disasters arise from both environmental vulnerabilities and unsustainable human practices.
He stated that leftover materials from incomplete tree felling or land clearing can worsen the scale of natural disasters during extreme weather.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) updated the impact of the flash floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, reporting a total of 836 deaths and 518 people missing as of 4 December 2025.
The fatalities include 325 in Aceh, 311 in North Sumatra, and 200 in West Sumatra, while 40,000 people in North Sumatra and 817,000 in Aceh remain displaced, bringing the total number of affected residents across the three provinces to 3.3 million and 50 districts.
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