inp.polri.go.id - Pontianak. The West Kalimantan Regional Police are investigating alleged illegal gold mining activities carried out by a member of the Sintang Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) with the initials MA for the past three to four years.

"It started with information from the public regarding someone transporting gold from illegal mining in a car," said the Director of Special Crimes at the West Kalimantan Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Burhanuddin, in Pontianak on Wednesday.

Police then arrested MA on August 3, 2026, at around 11:00 PM in front of the Sekadau Sub-regional Police Headquarters after stopping a vehicle suspected of passing through the area.

During the search, officers found three gold coins weighing more than one kilogram each and more than IDR 5 million in cash.

Burhanuddin said MA admitted the three gold coins were his. Police are now investigating the origin of the gold, which is currently known to be linked to illegal mining activities.

The value of the three gold coins seized is estimated at around IDR 6.2 billion.

"MA admitted the gold belongs to him and is suspected to be the result of illegal mining," he said.

From preliminary investigations, investigators obtained information that MA allegedly carried out these illegal mining activities for the past three to four years.

Burhanuddin stated that investigators are still investigating the series of activities, including tracing the origin of the gold and the possible involvement of other parties.

MA is charged under Article 158 or Article 161 of Law Number 3 of 2020 concerning amendments to Law Number 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining.

MA faces a maximum prison sentence of five years. Police are still investigating to uncover the alleged illegal mining activities, which are said to have been going on for several years.

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