Alleged Nabire–Surabaya Wood Washing, Legality of 23 Containers Examined

Officers investigated the allegation that the wood entering CV Palu Perdana was made to appear legal through the issuance of a Certificate of Legality of Processed Wood Forest Products or SKSHH-KO. This document accompanies the transportation of processed wood forest products.

These findings are still part of the investigation into the case, not the final conclusion regarding the party responsible.

The physical wood is matched with the documents

In Surabaya, container inspection involves forestry product administration experts and wood species identification experts. Officers identify the type and physical condition of the wood, take measurements, and match the load with the accompanying documents.

Head of the Jabalnusra Region Gakkumhut Center, Aswin Bangun, said that handling the case would involve tracing the wood distribution chain.

"We are currently matching the physical wood with the accompanying documents and tracing the origin of the wood, the sender, the distribution route, and the recipient," said Aswin, as quoted in a statement from the Ministry of Forestry.

He emphasized that inspections do not stop at containers that are secured at the port. The cargo and document findings will be used to explore how the wood entered the trade chain and who can be held responsible.

According to the Ministry of Forestry, the case handled by the Papua Maluku Region Gakkumhut Center has been assessed as meeting the grounds for being escalated to the investigation stage. The statement does not yet mention the identification of a suspect.