Police: No Corporate Suspects Named Yet in Forest Fires
The National Police have announced that they have named 167 suspects in the land and forest fires. However, none are from corporations yet.
Jakarta - The Indonesian police have yet to name any corporate entities as suspects in the ongoing land and forest fire incidents, according to a statement from Sr. Comr. Pipit Subiyanto of the National Police Criminal Investigation Department's Subdirectorate III. As of September 4, 2026, 167 individuals have been identified as suspects.
Subiyanto emphasized that no evidence linking palm oil corporations to the forest fires has been uncovered. During a press conference at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) office in East Jakarta, Subiyanto explained that the fires were primarily caused by land clearing activities conducted by individuals, with burned areas ranging from 2 to 10 hectares each.
The investigation involves cross-referencing witness statements with physical evidence collected at the affected sites. As of September 3, 2026, police have received 167 public reports. Any information about corporate involvement will be thoroughly investigated. Previously, Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat indicated that 42 companies on Kalimantan Island were suspected of triggering the fires, with several strongly suspected of violating regulations.
Jumhur noted that updates for Sumatra are currently being prepared. The Ministry of Environment pledged to collaborate with the police to address alleged criminal offenses and enforce administrative sanctions against corporations violating environmental laws, promising hefty fines for those found guilty.
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