Investigators from the Berau Police in East Kalimantan have named a\nman with the initials BS as a suspect in a forest and land fire case in\nTanjung Batu, Derawan Islands District, Berau Regency.<\/p>\n
The suspect now faces a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and a\nfine of up to Rp10 billion for his actions.<\/p>\n
Berau Police Chief AKBP Ridho Tri Putranto explained in Tanjung Redeb\non Saturday that the penalties are based on criminal provisions in the\nEnvironmental Protection and Management Law, the Job Creation Law for\nthe plantation and forestry sectors, and Article 305 of the Criminal\nCode.<\/p>\n
\u201cBS was named a suspect after the investigation team confirmed that\nthe fire at the location was not caused by natural factors but involved\nan element of intent,\u201d Ridho said.<\/p>\n
The case came to light after the Forest and Land Fire Task Force\ndetected a hotspot in the Tanjung Batu area.<\/p>\n
The finding was followed up by a joint team from Berau Police and the\nBerau Production Forest Management Unit.<\/p>\n
Based on examination results, the suspect admitted to burning the\nland on the orders of the landowner to prepare an area for opening an\noil palm plantation.<\/p>\n
BS is known to have set fires at five different points on Saturday, 8\nAugust. Hot weather conditions, dry vegetation and strong winds caused\nthe flames to spread rapidly, becoming uncontrollable and spreading into\nthe concession area of a nearby forest product management company.<\/p>\n
The fire scorched around 12 hectares of land with estimated material\nlosses reaching Rp1.2 billion.<\/p>\n
The firefighting effort involved combined personnel from the police,\nthe Regional Disaster Management Agency, the Fire Department, Manggala\nAgni, volunteers and local residents.<\/p>\n
According to Ridho, an official report from the affected company also\nstrengthened the investigation process.<\/p>\n
Witness examinations and crime scene processing confirmed that the\ninitial source of the fire came purely from burning activity carried out\nby the suspect.<\/p>\n
He stressed that clearing land by burning is completely unjustified,\nespecially during dry weather conditions that are highly prone to\ntriggering widespread fire spread.<\/p>\n
Berau Police confirmed they will take firm action against any similar\npractices that harm the public and the environment.<\/p>\n
As a precautionary measure, Berau Police are now increasing readiness\nby deploying personnel in several forest fire-prone areas, including\nKampung Kasai, Tanjung Batu, Teluk Bayur, Sambaliung and Kelay.<\/p>\n
Rapid response teams are on standby 24 hours a day to respond to any\ndetected hotspots.<\/p>\n
Ridho also urged the public to immediately report to the authorities\nif they see any land burning activity or the appearance of even the\nsmallest hotspot in their area.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that forest and land fire prevention requires strong\nsynergy between law enforcement, government, businesses and all levels\nof society.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/berau-forest-fire-suspect-faces-12-years-in-prison-rp10-billion-fine-1787406778", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }