Bandung Street Tree Felling Case: Illegal Logging for Videotron Installation Revealed

The mystery behind the felling of at least ten street trees at the intersection of Jalan LLRE Martadinata (Jalan Riau) and Jalan Cihapit in Bandung, West Java, has finally been uncovered. Previously, Bandung Mayor M. Farhan expressed his anger during an unannounced inspection (sidak) upon witnessing the street trees being cut down. It is suspected that the reckless felling was carried out to enhance the aesthetics of a padel facility and cafe, which also features a videotron on its premises. A video capturing Farhan's fury during the inspection on Friday (July 31) went viral on social media. Without compromise, the site was immediately cordoned off with yellow police tape by the Satpol PP. Farhan also suspected that certain parties were 'backing' the illegal logging and was investigating the alleged involvement of civil servants (ASN) in the matter. The suspicion that the trees were felled to support the visibility of the padel building with its videotron was confirmed mid-week. This finding was announced after the Satpol PP sealed the videotron at the SixNine Padel area on Wednesday (August 5). Bandung Satpol PP Chief Bambang Sukardi stated that based on the examination report (BAP), the perpetrator admitted that the tree felling was motivated by the presence of the videotron. "Essentially, based on the BAP, the tree feller's connection is justified by the existence of this videotron. Yes, in principle, they admit that this was their initiative, their desire," Bambang said at the sealing site on Wednesday, as quoted by detikJabar. Bambang explained that the reason arose because the perpetrator deemed the trees in front of the videotron reduced the screen's visibility from the road. This condition then triggered the felling without obtaining a permit from the government. "Why? Because when they built this videotron, the trees, according to them, blocked the view of the videotron," Bambang said. However, he added, so far the perpetrator of the tree felling claims responsibility as a contractor, not the manager of SixNine Padel. Based on preliminary examination results, the act was carried out by a subcontractor who was working on landscaping in the area, and they intend to take responsibility for replanting the trees. "The reason is like that [for videotron visibility], so it was cut down by... not the padel manager, but a subcontractor who got the job for landscaping. But they have good intentions in the sense of cooperating with the examination results to be responsible for replanting these trees," he revealed. According to Bambang, the subcontractor admitted to carrying out the felling on their own initiative. However, this confession has not stopped the investigation process because the Satpol PP is still exploring the possibility of other parties being involved in the case. "If these trees were truly felled by a subcontractor, they stated that they are responsible. The essence of this deepening is, because of this videotron, the subcontractor saw that this videotron was blocking the view. That's why they had the intention to cut it down without a permit," Bambang said. He ensured that the investigation is ongoing to identify all parties connected to the illegal tree felling. "[Continuation of the case investigation] is still ongoing, to find out who all is involved in the illegal tree felling and who is involved," he added. So far, the Satpol PP has recorded only one person as the perpetrator of the felling. In addition to administrative sanctions of Rp 10 million for each tree felled, the perpetrator is also required to replant 100 tree saplings as a form of responsibility for the environmental damage caused. On that occasion, the Bandung City Satpol PP sealed the videotron in the SixNine Padel area as a consequence of the alleged illegal felling of 10 trees. Quoting detikJabar, the videotron screen was marked with crossed-out sealing tape from the Satpol PP. The Bandung Satpol PP stated that the videotron apparently did not have an advertising operation permit (IPR). "Today we are following up on the investigation process. This is based on the BAP we have conducted, that today we are sealing the videotron because the permit has not been issued, and this is a follow-up to the felling of 10 trees on Jalan LLRE Martadinata," said Bambang at the location. Bambang stated that the Satpol PP only sealed the videotron in the SixNine Padel area. Meanwhile, the building housing the sports facility and cafe cannot be acted upon because it has fulfilled all its permits completely. "That's why we are not disturbing the padel building. We are only (sealing) this videotron which is attached to the padel building," said Bambang. He said that for this sealing, his party focused on violations of Regional Regulation 3/2026. "This sealing is because the permit is not yet complete. Now, whether this will continue with formal permits, we will see from the development of the responsible technical agency regarding the continuation of this videotron. But the most important thing is that we are enforcing the Regional Regulation," he said. Previously, after the sidak related to the location of the felled trees, Farhan suspected there was 'backing' involved, which allowed such illegal actions to occur in the heart of Bandung city. "Well, of course, there's a question, are there any ASN involved? That's why I have assigned the Regional Secretary and the Inspectorate to investigate whether there is a possibility of Bandung City Government ASN involvement," Farhan was quoted as saying by detikJabar on Monday (August 3). Farhan emphasized that he would impose strict sanctions if any ASN was involved. If proven involved, the ASN would be sanctioned according to the provisions. Quoting Antara, based on temporary information, the felling is suspected to have occurred at night between July 1 and early morning of July 2, 2026. Several witnesses reported that the perpetrators were wearing uniforms, leading to initial speculation that they were officials, but the identity of those responsible is still under investigation. Farhan said the Bandung City Government would gather all evidence, from field documentation to witness statements from the vicinity, to strengthen the legal process. During his inspection last Friday, Farhan emphasized that such arbitrary actions could not be tolerated and would be brought to criminal court, even up to the provincial level. At the sealing site of the former tree locations, Farhan could not hide his anger at the management's actions, which seemed to disregard the city's tree-planting regulations. "Wow, I'm angry. I'm very angry. We will criminalize this," he said, quoted by detikJabar. Farhan admitted that his party had clues regarding the party behind the tree-felling incident. He also ensured that the Bandung City Government would not stand idly by. He also suspected that the perpetrators felt they had 'protectors' or backing.