The alleged assault case that resulted in the death of a teenager on the Mount Sibayak hiking trail, Karo Regency, has sparked public scrutiny regarding the boundaries of authority in managing the conservation area. The area located in Jaranguda Village is part of the Bukit Barisan Grand Forest Park (Tahura), managed by the Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) Tahura under the North Sumatra Provincial Environment and Forestry Office (DLHK).
On the other hand, the rights to provide supporting facilities and infrastructure for nature tourism in the area are held by a private entity, PT Pariban Sibayak Jilena. The company holds a Business Permit for the Utilization of Nature Tourism Environmental Services (PB-PSWA) from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry via the Online Single Submission (OSS) system, with a concession period of up to 35 years.
Public scrutiny intensified after police named several suspects, one of whom has the initials RS, identified as the Secretary of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) Karo. According to administrative data, the position of Commissioner at PT Pariban Sibayak Jilena is held by Ardian Surbakti, who currently serves as Chairman of HIPMI Karo and President Director of PDAM Tirtanadi. However, police have not issued an official statement regarding company management's involvement in the legal matter.
The tragedy has also raised fundamental questions regarding the division of security responsibilities at the tourist site. Based on the PB-PSWA permit, PT Pariban Sibayak Jilena is only authorized to provide supporting tourism facilities. Meanwhile, the security of the conservation forest area and law enforcement remain entirely under government control through UPT Tahura and relevant law enforcement agencies.
Attempts to obtain confirmation from relevant authorities faced obstacles. Head of UPT Tahura Karo, Faisal Simangunsong, declined to give detailed comments, stating he was conducting spatial data tracking out of the area and wished to avoid misquotes. Similarly, Head of the North Sumatra DLHK, Heri Marpaung, gave only a brief response asking the public to be patient while awaiting developments in the case.
Currently, the police are continuing to investigate the assault case. Police continue to gather evidence and examine witnesses to uncover the motive and potential involvement of other perpetrators in the bloody incident at this North Sumatra natural tourist destination.
