Indonesian police arrest 72 people suspected of starting forest fires

Indonesian authorities have arrested 72 individuals suspected of igniting forest and peatland fires, contributing to a massive blaze that has created a hazardous haze across the country. The suspects, who could face penalties ranging from substantial fines to up to 15 years in prison, were apprehended in connection with 89 fire cases spread across five provinces on the island of Borneo and four on Sumatra.

Most of the defendants are accused of deliberately setting fires to clear land for agricultural use at reduced costs. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited Central Kalimantan province, where over 7,600 hectares have burned, to urge authorities to address the haze issue. The government has promised to provide necessary resources, such as helicopters and water pumps, to combat the fires.

Meanwhile, Malaysia has been severely impacted by the smoke, with air quality reaching "very unhealthy" levels in some areas, leading to the closure of nearly 600 schools and affecting around 200,000 students.