InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The Forest Area Order Task Force (Satgas PKH) has emphasized that its main focus is to reclaim state forest land used for illegal palm oil and mining, not merely to impose criminal punishment on offenders.

"Law enforcement in the order of forest areas is not about bringing the occupation into the criminal realm, but about how the state can regain control of the forests," said the Head of the Satgas PKH, who is also the Attorney General's Junior Attorney for Special Crimes (Jampidsus), Febrie Adriansyah, in Jakarta on Thursday (8/28).

Febrie explained that the Satgas PKH also requires offenders to return any illicit gains to the state. This step, he said, is in line with Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025, which regulates the orderly return of forest areas through the collection of administrative fines, re-possession of the area, and asset recovery.

"The criminal process is the last resort. If administrative measures are not sufficient, then criminal charges will still be applied. Of course, we will review the relevant articles and laws according to the legal position," Febrie stated.

Similarly, the Head of the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri), Commissioner General Pol. Syahardiantono, said that the police prioritize a persuasive, preventive, and pre-emptive approach in cracking down on illegal forest land occupation. "We want to maintain public order and security. The police, along with the military, have also prepared security measures on the ground," he said.

The Satgas PKH itself was formed based on Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025, issued by President Prabowo Subianto on January 21, 2025. This task force is mandated to bring order to forest areas that have been used for illegal palm oil plantations and mining. (T2)