Meulaboh, Aceh (ANTARA) - The West Aceh District Police have confirmed that there has been no tree-cutting activity by holders of land use rights (PHAT) in the region since December 1, 2025, following landslides and floods.
“Based on direct inspections in Sungai Mas Sub-district, the company has stopped all activities since December 1, 2025,” Chief of West Aceh Police, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Yhogi Hadisetiawan, told ANTARA here on Tuesday.
He made the statement in response to calls from the West Aceh Anti-Corruption Movement (GeRAK) NGO, which urged law enforcement authorities to investigate reports of open transportation of logs following recent flash floods in the area.
GeRAK West Aceh Coordinator Edy Syahputra urged law enforcement to immediately investigate the widespread transportation of logs from West Aceh forests while Aceh is still recovering from natural disasters.
Hadisetiawan said that, based on information provided by the PHAT company to investigators, the firm had ceased operations after Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry ordered a halt to the activities.
However, the company acknowledged that images of log transportation circulating in the media showed its trucks and confirmed that the transport activities took place before operations were suspended by the ministry.
Following media reports, the West Aceh Police deployed a team to conduct on-site inspections in Sungai Mas Sub-district. To date, officers have not found the two trucks mentioned in the reports.
“Our team has conducted field checks and coordinated with village authorities and related parties. We have also not received any official reports regarding illegal log transportation in the area,” he explained.
The West Aceh Police have invited the public to report any credible information related to alleged illegal logging.
The police also urged residents not to engage in logging or timber transportation without official permits, reaffirming their commitment to protecting forests and preventing state losses.
