Bengkalis Police name suspects for illegal palm oil farming in forest areas

Police in Bengkalis, Riau, have named individuals as suspects in connection with illegal palm oil cultivation within protected forest areas following forest and land fires (Karhutla).

In one case, a 29-year-old man identified as JFP was named a suspect after authorities discovered him fertilizing and spraying palm oil plants in an area that had recently burned in the Pinggir district. Coordination with the Forest Area Stabilization Agency (BPKH) confirmed that the approximately 4-hectare site is officially classified as a production forest area. Investigations suggest the land was occupied illegally.

In a separate development in the Pematang Pudu area of Mandau district, a 58-year-old man identified as YS was also named a suspect. This case originated from investigations into fire spots discovered in July 2026, which led to the discovery of unauthorized palm oil seedling planting activities within the forest zone.