Jakarta, ThedailyID — Riau police have uncovered alleged palm oil plantation activity on burned land inside a forest area. Officers have named a 58-year-old man, identified as YS, as a suspect.
The Bengkalis Police Criminal Investigation Unit began investigating the case after detecting a forest and land fire in Pematang Pudu, Mandau District.
Bengkalis Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKP Yohn Mabel said investigators identified the suspect after examining witnesses, collecting evidence and conducting a case review.
“Investigators made the suspect determination based on the investigation results, witness examinations, evidence collection and the case review,” Yohn said in a statement received in Pekanbaru, Sunday (30/08).
The investigation began after authorities received information about a fire in the area on Tuesday (July 14). Officers then examined activities on the land and found palm oil seedlings being planted.
Investigators also recorded the site’s coordinates and reviewed its legal status. The review showed that the plantation activity took place inside a Limited Production Forest area.
Authorities estimate the land under cultivation at around six hectares. About 1.5 hectares had already been cleared, with palm oil seedlings found at the site.
Police named YS as a suspect on Friday (Aug. 28) following the case review.
Authorities charged him under Indonesia’s Forestry Law and the Law on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, both as amended by Law No. 6 of 2023.
The case highlights ongoing concerns over forest fires and the conversion of forest areas into agricultural land in Riau.
