Indonesia hunts foreign links in 98 corporate fire cases as haze chokes region

JAKARTA, Oct 20 — Indonesian police have confirmed foreign entities' involvement in 98 corporate cases linked to the forest and land fires plaguing the nation. The Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) is currently identifying responsible parties and determining the nature of their involvement. National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto disclosed that while 98 corporate cases are under investigation, the involvement of foreign investment or foreign parties is still under scrutiny.

Suyudi stated that investigators are gathering evidence and anticipate naming suspects, including company owners and shareholders, soon. Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Dudung Abdurachman Prabowo, urged for heightened firefighting operations, emphasizing the need for immediate and sustained action without waiting for rainfall.

The president directed the deployment of troops, police, Forestry Service personnel, and public volunteers in a massive, measured manner. Indonesia has accepted foreign assistance offers, including from Malaysia and Singapore, but the government has yet to declare the fires a national disaster. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is coordinating technical arrangements for the proposed support, pending a government declaration.