# Indonesia crackdown on illegal tree clearing

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indonesia-crackdown-on-illegal-tree-clearing
> Updated: 2026-08-10T06:36:19.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 4.

Since late July 2026, Indonesian authorities have moved against illegal forest clearing. In Riau province, police arrested a man identified as ADI on July 31 after investigators linked him to the illegal clearing of approximately 20 hectares of permanent production forest within a PT Sekato Pratama Makmur concession. The activity, detected via drone surveillance and patrol reports, reportedly began in late May.

In Bandung, West Java, enforcement intensified following the illegal felling of ten shade trees on Jalan RE Martadinata to accommodate the Six Nine Padel Club. In early August, municipal police sealed a videotron at the site because it lacked a valid advertising permit. Satpol PP chief Bambang Sukardi confirmed the responsible party paid a Rp100 million fine and agreed to plant 100 replacement trees.

Mayor Muhammad Farhan has directed the city secretary and internal inspectorate to investigate potential involvement by civil servants (ASN), while also identifying a landscaping subcontractor as a potential perpetrator. The Bandung City Council has called for criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits against the project’s corporate and beneficial owners. 

On August 10, Deputy Speaker of the MPR RI, Eddy Soeparno, joined the calls for strict enforcement, stating that environmental protection should not be sacrificed for land commercialization. He urged for firm legal action to create a deterrent effect and advocated for stronger tree protection measures within the ongoing revision of the Environmental Law in the DPR.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-10: Bandung illegal tree cutting sparks calls for strict enforcement

MPR Deputy Speaker Eddy Soeparno has demanded firm legal action against suspected illegal tree cutting in Bandung linked to commercial padel facility construction.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bandung-mayor-announces-parking-reforms-and-infrastructure-upgrades

### 2026-08-05: Bandung Seals Videotron After Illegal Tree Cutting at Padel Six Nine

Bandung sealed an illegal videotron at Padel Six Nine after linking it to the unauthorized cutting of ten trees, imposing tree‑replanting and a fine, while probing possible civil‑servant involvement.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bandung-city-cracks-down-on-illegal-tree-cutting-for-videotron

### 2026-08-03: Bandung Mayor Orders Probe of Illegal Tree Cutting Near Padel Court

Bandung’s Satpol PP sealed a site after illegal tree cutting near a padel court; the mayor has ordered an investigation into possible business motives and potential environmental law violations.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bandung-mayor-orders-probe-of-illegal-tree-cutting-near-padel-court

### 2026-07-31: Indonesia cracks down on illegal forest clearing in Bengkalis and Bandung

Indonesian police arrested a suspect for clearing 20 ha of forest in Bengkalis, while Bandung’s mayor condemned the illegal felling of ten trees for a padel court, threatening closure and legal action.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-cracks-down-on-illegal-forest-clearing-in-bengkalis-and-bandung

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Cite as: Indonesia crackdown on illegal tree clearing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indonesia-crackdown-on-illegal-tree-clearing