Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A man identified as M (44) from Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, has been arrested for stealing five logs of wood from Paliyan state forest. Authorities say the suspect could face up to five years in prison for his actions.
Paliyan Police Department, Police Chief AKP Ismanto explained the arrest comes after receiving a report from forestry officers. Ismanto states that the arrest took place after forestry patrol officers spotted a man allegedly stealing a piece of sono brith wood on December 25, 2024.
Upon further investigation, authorities discovered the suspect had taken a total of five pieces of timber from the state forest. “After checking, it was confirmed that five pieces of wood were taken from the state forest,” Ismanto stated during a press briefing at Gunungkidul Police Headquarters on Thursday, January 16, 2025, as reported by Kompas.
Confiscated Evidence
The stealing suspect was taken into custody along with the confiscated evidence, which included five pieces of sono brith wood with different size:
- Two pieces measuring 68 cm in length with a diameter of 28 cm.
- One piece measuring 67 cm in length with a diameter of 24 cm.
- One piece measuring 68 cm in length with a diameter of 23 cm.
- One piece measuring 65 cm in length with a diameter of 23 cm.
Other items seized included tools allegedly used in the theft, such as a handsaw, a sickle, and a measuring tape.
According to Kumparan, a forestry patrol officer, Gandris, who was involved in the arrest estimated the loss to the state at approximately Rp2 million (about $130). “The loss to the state, based on the forest damage report, is around Rp2 million, though I don’t recall the exact figure,” Gandris explained.
Legal Consequences
During questioning, M admitted to stealing the wood and claimed it was his first time committing such an act. He said the stolen timber was intended to be sold to meet daily needs, with financial hardship cited as the primary motive. “The motive is economic,” Ismanto explained.
Following the arrest, the suspect is being charged under Indonesia’s Forest Protection and Preservation Law, which carries a minimum sentence of one year and a maximum of five years in prison.
Police Grants Detention Suspension
The Gunungkidul Police Department has granted a temporary release for the suspect, while legal proceedings are still ongoing, according to report from Detik.
Gunungkidul Police spokesperson AKP Suranto, states that the police decided to suspend the suspect detentions following a request from the suspect’s family. “The family and a guarantor submitted a request for temporary release to the Gunungkidul Police Chief,” Suranto states on Friday, January 17, 2025.
The request was approved, and the suspect was released late Thursday, January 16. However, Suranto emphasized that the case remains under investigation.
When asked about the possibility of pursuing restorative justice in the case, Suranto said the decision lies with the complainant, which in this case is the forestry authority. “We handle cases based on the reports we receive,” he explained.
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Forrest Management Ruled Out Restorative Justice
The Yogyakarta Forest Management Unit has ruled out restorative justice in this case, stating that previous efforts to curb illegal logging and wood stealing through persuasion and outreach have proven ineffective.
The Head of the Yogyakarta Forest Management Unit, Sabam Benedictus Silalahi explained that the forestry office, in collaboration with local law enforcement, has long engaged in outreach efforts to encourage communities to protect forest resources.
“In our jurisdiction, we have repeatedly warned that if caught, the case will proceed through legal channels,” said Sabam on Thursday, January 16, as reported by Kumparan.
In previous incidents, individuals caught stealing wood were subjected to mandatory reporting and counseling. However, Sabam admitted that these measures failed to deter repeat offenses.
“The reality is, these measures have not been effective. Theft continues to occur,” he said, adding that evidence such as saws and measuring tools indicates premeditation. “The intent is clearly there. If one person gets away with it, others may follow, creating a ripple effect,” Sabam warned.
Legal Process as a Deterrent
The forestry office hopes that pursuing legal action will deter future timber theft. “We aim for this legal process to send a strong message, discouraging those who may be considering stealing timber from state forests,” Sabam said. Therefore, the suspect is now faces serious consequences for his actions of stealing the wood from state forest.
The incident has sparked online discussions about justice in Indonesia, with many questioning why individuals involved in major cases receive comparatively lighter sentences. However, as the legal process continues, authorities hope that strict enforcement of the law in this case will serve as a deterrent to others.
(Raidi/Agung)
