Prabowo vows to revoke licences of foreign firms linked to forest fires

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledged to revoke the business licenses of foreign companies that repeatedly violate regulations and contribute to forest and land fires, according to Xinhua. Authorities are currently investigating firms suspected of breaching land management and fire prevention rules, with early results suggesting some companies have been involved in multiple fire incidents.

One such company is alleged to have been implicated in up to 19 separate forest fire cases. "Those who transgress the rules, their licenses will be revoked," Prabowo declared with no hesitation. The president disclosed that some of the companies under scrutiny are foreign-owned and pledged to reveal their names at a later date. He emphasized that companies operating within Indonesia must bear responsibility for any environmental damage, irrespective of the foreign country they hail from.

Prabowo also advocated for enhanced monitoring of natural resource management to ensure forests and plantations are handled responsibly and to the benefit of local communities.