Indonesian police arrest 72 people as fires blanket region in smoke
Authorities say many landowners are lighting fires for land clearing, sending massive plumes into the atmosphere that are choking swathes of South-East Asia.
Indonesian authorities have arrested 72 individuals suspected of starting forest and peatland fires across the country. The plumes of smoke from these fires have enveloped vast regions of Indonesia and neighboring Malaysia, causing severe air quality issues. Investigations are underway to determine if any corporate entities have played a role in the arson, with potential penalties of up to 15 years in prison if proven guilty.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited Central Kalimantan province, where over 7,600 hectares have burned, to urge authorities to control the haze. He pledged government resources, including helicopters and water pumps, to combat the fires. Four companies in West Kalimantan province are under investigation for allegedly using fire to clear land, potentially facing sanctions, including the revocation of their operating permits.
Smoke from the fires blanketed parts of Borneo, the third-largest island shared by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. More than 3,700 hot spots were recorded by Indonesia's Environment Ministry, with fire activity increasing in West, Central, and South Kalimantan provinces. Rainfall is crucial to suppress the fires and re-wet the peatlands.
Smoke has severely impacted air quality in Malaysia, leading to the closure of numerous schools and affecting thousands of students.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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