December 14, 2025 | 05:52 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) has not yet designated a suspect in the alleged environmental violations behind the flash flood in the Garoga River basin, North Sumatra. So far, the police have elevated the case involving PT TBS to the investigation stage.
"There is no designated suspect yet," said Brigadier General Mohammad Irhamni, the Director of Specific Criminal Acts at the Bareskrim Polri, when contacted on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
PT TBS has four land opening points not far from the flash flood location. These four openings cover a total area of 63 hectares, with two of them, spanning 36 hectares, located on the cliff side leading to the Garoga River basin.
It is suspected that these two land openings triggered landslides and contributed to the debris, including driftwood, which was carried by the flood and hit residential areas. PT TBS has been examined, and the case has entered the investigation stage. Bareskrim has also confiscated two excavators and one bulldozer found at PT TBS's land opening.
The Garoga River basin was chosen as the scene of investigation because the investigators believe that the driftwood, potentially originating from negligence, caused significant damage to the residential areas and resulted in a significant loss of life. There are 47 reported deaths, and 22 people are still missing in the area. More than 50 houses were swept away by floodwaters carrying driftwood.
On Sunday, the investigative team was still visiting the scene on PT TBS's property to conduct a further inspection. Irhamni previously stated that despite being under investigation, Bareskrim is still bolstering evidence of intent and unlawful acts to incriminate suspects in the case at the Garoga River basin.
The Garoga River forms the natural boundary between South Tapanuli Regency and Central Tapanuli Regency. Driftwood was found abundantly in the two most affected villages, namely Garoga Village in South Tapanuli and Anggoli Village in Central Tapanuli. Both are adjacent, separated by the river.
Based on field investigators' information on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the team is still trying to identify the types of wood drift more precisely. Additionally, they are attempting to estimate the amount of wood scattered in cubic meters. There are already 43 types of samples examined. Fifteen types of tree woods have been identified. Two of them, Rubber and Bayur, match the evidence found in the opening scene of PT TBS's land. Meanwhile, seven other wood samples remain unidentified and unexamined in the laboratory.
The Head of Planning and Evaluation Section of the Asahan Barumun River Basin Organization, Kristo Damanik, stated that the investigation at the Garoga River basin should focus on areas within the river basin. "Because the openings that occurred outside the Garoga River basin do not affect the landslides that occurred in the Garoga River basin," said Kristo in South Tapanuli on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
Kristo mentioned that the Garoga River basin is only about 58 kilometers long. He said that a river basin with such a relatively short length does indeed have the potential to swiftly carry driftwood.
On the other hand, the Bareskrim is also investigating other potential entry points in the Garoga River basin area, up to its source. There are about 110 detected openings, including several points owned by PT TBS. The investigation is based on allegations of environmental crimes, as defined in Articles 109, 98, and 99 of Law No. 32 of 2009, which concerns environmental protection and management.
Read: Prabowo Vows Crackdown on Illegal Logging After Sumatra Disaster
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Foreign National Suspected Dead in Bali Floods
3 jam lalu
The authorities stated that they have not been able to confirm the identity of the female foreign national who is suspected to be the victim of the Bali flood.
Fact Check: Viral Video Linked to Lampung Floods Is Misleading
5 jam lalu
Fact check - The flash flood incident in the video occurred in Padang City, West Sumatra, not in Lampung.
Floods Damage 15 Bridges in Aceh, Govt Sends Bailey Bridges
7 jam lalu
The Indonesian Ministry of Public Works accelerates mobilization and installation of bailey bridges in Aceh after the Sumatra flood disaster.
Coastal Floods and Sinking Cities: A Global Threat
22 jam lalu
Critical sea level rise and coastal flooding affect global cities, including Jakarta and Semarang, with Mexico City facing the most severe impact.
Sumatra Flood Death Toll Exceeds 1,000; BNPB Updates Data
1 hari lalu
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reports that the death toll from the Sumatra floods has exceeded one thousand as of Saturday, Dec. 13.
Ombudsman Finds Widespread Miscommunication in Sumatra Disaster Response
1 hari lalu
What are the Ombudsman's findings regarding the handling of floods in Sumatra?
Flash Floods Bring Logs from Upstream
1 hari lalu
Timber carried by flash floods offered stark evidence of deforestation. The forests at the headwaters of major river basins had been severely damaged.
Prabowo Claims Situation Improving in North Sumatra Following Disaster
1 hari lalu
Prabowo said conditions in North Sumatra have improved since late-November floods and landslides, with the government monitoring affected communities.
Prabowo Says Gov't Is Planning Replacement Housing for Sumatra Flood Victims
1 hari lalu
"Plans are already in place to replace all the damaged homes," Prabowo said.
Prabowo Offers Apology, Calls for Patience on Visit to Disaster-Stricken Aceh
1 hari lalu
President Prabowo Subianto visited three districts in the province of Aceh affected by floods and landslides.
