Indonesia takes legal action against individuals, firms over forest fires

Indonesia is prosecuting individuals and corporations responsible for forest and land fires, according to the Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia. The embassy disclosed that 198 suspects have been identified in 247 police reports, with an additional 97 reports involving corporations. The Environment Ministry identified 57 business entities across eight provinces, responsible for burning 33,514.01 hectares of land within concession areas.

Of these, 16 entities in Sumatra and 41 in Kalimantan accounted for 3,813.85 hectares and 29,700.16 hectares, respectively. The Forestry Ministry imposed administrative sanctions on 26 legal entities, including revoking five business licences, suspending 13 and issuing warnings or compulsory restoration orders against eight entities.

Criminal proceedings are ongoing against 46 legal subjects, with 17 cases at the preliminary inquiry stage and 27 under formal investigation. The government is intensifying fire prevention, healthcare support, and public information efforts, including expanding peatland rewetting, promoting no-burn land preparation, establishing Fire Awareness Community Groups, and preparing contingency plans for fire-prone areas.

Indonesian authorities have detected 555 high-confidence hotspots through 24-hour monitoring using the Sipongi system, with 336 hotspots in Central Kalimantan, 142 in South Sumatra, 48 in West Kalimantan, 28 in South Kalimantan, and one in Jambi. Out of these, 193 active fire spots were identified, with a target of extinguishing 748.04 hectares of land.

Rapid response efforts have extinguished approximately 560.60 hectares, or 75 percent of the target area. The embassy expressed concern over the impact of forest and land fires on Malaysia, particularly the deteriorating air quality and haze causing health risks. The Indonesian government is committed to collaborating with Malaysia and other friendly countries to address forest and land fires and transboundary haze.