Tindak Pidana Korupsi di Sektor Kehutanan pada Pengalihan Fungsi Kawasan Hutan

Abstract

Forests play a vital role as a living environment in Indonesia, a country that possesses one of the world's largest tropical forests. Forests are among the valuable assets that not many other countries have. Data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) reports that Indonesian forests cover an area of 125.76 million hectares, equivalent to 62.97% of the country’s total land area. As a rich natural resource, forests are highly susceptible to corruption due to various vested interests. Corruption in the forestry sector, particularly in the conversion of forest areas, has become a serious issue affecting environmental sustainability, ecosystems, and the national economy. This research aims to examine legal regulations regarding corruption in the forestry sector, identify the elements of corruption in forest area conversion, and analyze law enforcement in related cases. The research employs a normative legal approach, utilizing legislative and case-based analyses. The findings indicate that corruption in the forestry sector frequently occurs through abuse of authority in granting permits, bribery, and collusion between officials and business actors for personal gain. A study of Court Decision Number 67/Pid.Sus-TPK/2021/PN Mdn reveals that challenges in law enforcement include weak oversight, lack of transparency, and the involvement of officials in corrupt practices. Therefore, stricter policies, strengthened supervision, and reforms in licensing and forestry governance systems are necessary to reduce corruption loopholes in this sector.