Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry has reiterated its commitment to fighting environmental crimes after finding illegal mining businesses operating without official government permits
The Director General of Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement Rasio Ridho Sani said in the statement that “There is no other choice other than firm and just enforcement. This is the embodiment of how the state sides with people’s rights and the preservation of the environment and forests.”
The most recent incident occurred on February 8 when two businesses operating in the Boliyohuto production forest in the Gorontalo Province were raided by the Ministry’s joint enforcement team. Three people who were supposed to carry out fieldwork were detained.
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“The perpetrators must be dealt with strictly and punished as severely as possible. The prosecution of this case will not stop at taking action against heavy equipment operators and those in charge of the field, it will continue to be developed to ensnare the main actors, beneficiaries of beneficial ownership,” said Rasio.
He added that illicit mining offences included both crimes against mineral resources and crimes against the environment and forestry.
Story was adapted from TEMPO.CO.
