Sukamara Forest Encroachment Investigation Faces Growing Public Scrutiny
Public demands transparency as police investigation into alleged Sukamara forest encroachment remains unclear
- SPDP Issued, Investigation Remains Ongoing
- Complainants Push for Suspect Designation
- Transparency Considered Essential
- Students Question Slow Investigation
- Alleged Encroachment Covers 90 to 100 Hectares
- Folitimes.id Requests Official Confirmation
- Part of Folitimes.id’s Investigative Series
- Public Awaits Legal Certainty
PALANGKA RAYA, folitimes.id – The investigation into alleged encroachment within a Conversion Production Forest, or HPK, area in Sukamara Regency, Central Kalimantan, continues to attract public attention.
The Central Kalimantan Police’s Special Criminal Investigation Directorate, known as Ditreskrimsus, issued a Notice of Commencement of Investigation, or SPDP, in March 2026. However, as of mid-July, authorities had not provided an official explanation regarding the progress of the case.
The case has drawn scrutiny because the complainants said their report concerns alleged forest encroachment involving the name of a public official serving as the Regent of Sukamara.
As of publication, investigators had not announced the legal status of the reported party or named any suspect in the case.
The situation has raised questions among the complainants and several civil society groups. They have urged law enforcement authorities to disclose the progress of the investigation to ensure transparency and legal certainty.
SPDP Issued, Investigation Remains Ongoing
Investigation documents show that the Central Kalimantan Police’s Ditreskrimsus issued SPDP Number SPDP/68.c/III/RES.5.6/2026/Ditreskrimsus in March 2026.
The Central Kalimantan High Prosecutor’s Office received the document on April 2, 2026.
According to information gathered by Folitimes.id, investigators have questioned several witnesses, sought expert testimony, and conducted field inspections concerning suspected unauthorized land clearing in an HPK area in Sukamara District.
However, more than three months after the SPDP was issued, authorities had not released official information regarding the result of a case review, the investigation’s progress, or further legal measures.
Complainants Push for Suspect Designation
The complainants’ legal counsel, Naduh, S.H., said his team would send a formal letter to the Central Kalimantan Police’s Ditreskrimsus requesting faster case handling.
“We will prepare a letter urging investigators to designate the reported party as a suspect. The witnesses have been questioned, and supporting documents have also been submitted to investigators,” Naduh said.
According to him, the complainants have handed all available evidence to investigators. The public is now waiting for clarity regarding the direction of the investigation.
In addition to contacting investigators, the complainants plan to report the matter to the National Police Commission, or Kompolnas, and the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia.
They expect both institutions to supervise the handling of the case.
Transparency Considered Essential
Naduh argued that disclosing procedural developments would not interfere with the substance of the investigation.
Instead, he said providing regular updates would help maintain public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
He hopes investigators can at least explain the stages already completed without disclosing confidential investigative material.
Students Question Slow Investigation
Similar concerns came from Afan Safrian, Chairman of the Central Kalimantan branch of the Indonesian Muslim Students Union, or SEMMI.
“We urge the Central Kalimantan Police’s Ditreskrimsus to openly explain how far this investigation has progressed. The issuance of an SPDP should be followed by concrete legal action,” Afan said.
According to Afan, the slow progress of the case could create negative public perceptions if law enforcement authorities do not provide an official explanation.
He also hopes investigators will handle the case professionally without differentiating between individuals based on their position or background.
Alleged Encroachment Covers 90 to 100 Hectares
A report by the Central Kalimantan Regional Board of the Indonesian Environmental Rescue Organization for Marine, Forest, and Industrial Areas, or LPLHI-KLHI, states that the suspected land clearing occurred across approximately 90 to 100 hectares of HPK land.
The organization’s team conducted a field inspection on April 29, 2025.
During the inspection, the team reportedly found land-clearing activities in an area that had later been planted with oil palm.
According to the complainants, every activity involving the use of forest areas must comply with licensing requirements under Law Number 41 of 1999 on Forestry and its implementing regulations.
Folitimes.id Requests Official Confirmation
The Folitimes.id editorial team has sent a request for confirmation to the Public Relations Division of the Central Kalimantan Police.
The request asked about the progress of the investigation, witness examinations, the case review process, and the legal status of the individuals questioned.
As of publication, the Central Kalimantan Police had not provided an official response.
Should investigators or any parties mentioned in the case provide clarification later, Folitimes.id will publish their statements in accordance with the principle of balanced reporting.
Part of Folitimes.id’s Investigative Series
This case forms part of Folitimes.id’s investigative coverage of alleged encroachment within an HPK area in Sukamara Regency.
Folitimes.id previously published reports titled “Forest Cleared While Leaders Remain Silent: What Is Happening in Sukamara?” and “When a Regional Leader’s Name Enters the Investigation.”
Those reports examined the chronology of the complaint, the initial inquiry, and the development of the case based on documents and statements from relevant parties.
Public Awaits Legal Certainty
The alleged forest encroachment case concerns more than environmental protection.
It also involves legal certainty, natural resource governance, and public trust in the law enforcement process.
The public is now waiting for investigators to determine the direction of the case based on the evidence already collected.
Folitimes.id will continue monitoring the case and publishing updates based on official statements from law enforcement authorities and other relevant parties.
