Indonesia arrests three in illegal logging raid on Sumatra tiger sanctuary

On 1 August 2026, Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) and the KSDA Riau conducted a joint operation in the Kerumutan Wildlife Sanctuary, Pelalawan, Riau, to stop illegal logging that threatens the habitat of the critically endangered Sumatra tiger. The raid captured three suspects – identified as E (56), SH (55) and A (46) – who were transporting illegally harvested timber by truck and a modified bicycle. Authorities seized the timber, destroyed makeshift logging shelters and related equipment, and seized the vehicles used.

The three men were charged under Indonesia's Conservation of Biological Resources and Ecosystems Law (Law No. 32/2024) and the Penal Code amendment (Law No. 1/2026). They face up to 11 years in prison and fines of up to 2 billion rupiah. The operation reflects President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to prioritize the eradication of illegal logging as part of national forest governance reforms.