Haze: Indonesia probes 98 forest fire cases involving links to neighbouring countries

Indonesian police have confirmed that foreign involvement, including from neighbouring countries, is implicated in 98 corporate cases linked to the ongoing forest and land fires in the country. National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto stated that the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) is actively investigating these cases, with the aim of identifying those responsible and determining the nature of their involvement.

The extent of foreign investment or foreign parties' involvement remains unclear, as investigators continue to gather evidence and prepare to name suspects, including company owners and shareholders. President Prabowo Subianto has ordered an intensified firefighting response, deploying troops and personnel from the Indonesian military, police, Forestry Service, and volunteers.

The National Disaster Management Agency has received offers of foreign assistance, including from Malaysia and Singapore, but the government has not yet declared the fires a national disaster, citing its ability to manage the crisis with its own resources.

Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.