September 8, 2026 | 05:27 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s National Police have named 138 suspects in cases linked to forest and land fires.
The suspects were identified from around 200 police reports received across the country. Of the 138, 119 are accused of deliberately starting fires, while 19 are being investigated for fires caused by negligence, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo said Monday, September 7.
“We have named 138 suspects for intentional acts and negligence. There are 119 cases involving intentional burning and 19 involving negligence. This number could still increase,” Sigit said at a press conference in Jakarta.
Investigations are still underway, he said, leaving open the possibility of additional suspects being identified.
Police investigate corporate involvement
The investigation is not limited to individuals. Police are also examining the possible involvement of eight companies in forest and land fires.
Police are coordinating with the Forestry Ministry and the Environment Ministry to follow up on findings related to fires involving companies. Sigit said authorities had frozen the business permits of 18 companies and revoked the permits of 42 others.
Police will investigate whether the cases also involve criminal offenses.
“We will examine whether there are also criminal elements in these cases. If there are, we will take legal action,” Sigit said.
The police said they could apply multiple provisions under Indonesia’s laws governing forests, plantations and environmental protection, as well as provisions under the Criminal Code.
Sigit said the use of multiple legal provisions would strengthen enforcement and help deter repeated forest and land burning.
“The provisions can be applied cumulatively. This is also to ensure that there are no more incidents of forest and land burning,” he said.
El Niño raises fire risks
The police action comes as Indonesia continues to deal with forest and land fires in several regions during an extended period of dry weather.
Sigit urged the public to remain alert to weather conditions affected by El Niño, which he said would continue for some time. The government, he said, would continue public outreach, prevention and mitigation efforts alongside firefighting operations.
“The El Niño season is still long, and we all hope that the existing rules can be followed and implemented,” Sigit said.
Police have previously said the investigation would continue to pursue both individual perpetrators and possible corporate actors behind the fires.
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