72 Forest Fire Suspects Named, Legislator Urges Police to Follow Environmental Laws

House of Representatives Commission III member Endang Agustina of the National Mandate Party (PAN) has praised the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) for naming 72 suspects allegedly involved in forest and land fires (karhutla). Endang expressed confidence that the suspects were named based on strong evidence.

“We welcome the National Police’s work in naming 72 suspects in forest and land fire cases. We are confident that the police have named the suspects based on sound reasoning and strong evidence,” Endang told reporters on Monday (24/8/2026).

The legislator representing the South Kalimantan electoral district urged the police to exercise caution in handling forest fire cases. She expressed hope that the police would adhere to the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) and laws related to the environment.

“However, as an institution carrying out an oversight function, we continue to advise the police to remain careful in naming and processing suspects in these forest and land fire cases, because these are cases that are difficult to prove,” Endang said.

“We therefore hope that the police, in conducting investigations and inquiries, will firmly adhere to and follow the Criminal Procedure Code and other legislation, especially those related to the environment,” she added.

Endang also called on law enforcement officers to cooperate with regional governments in areas affected by forest fires to prevent the emergence of new hotspots. She encouraged continuous public education campaigns about the dangers of fire in forest and land areas, particularly during the peak of the dry season.

“By raising awareness about the dangers of fire and its impact on health, public awareness will grow so that people do not burn land or discard cigarette butts or matches in fire-prone areas. This must be done continuously,” Endang said.

Police to Pursue Those Profiting from Forest Fires

The National Police will pursue individuals and companies that have profited from forest and land fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Police have stressed that they will carry out firm law enforcement.

“We will pursue those who have enjoyed and received profits from the burning. Both corporations and individuals will be pursued and subjected to firm law enforcement,” said Brigadier General Mohammad Irhamni, Director of Specific Crimes at Bareskrim, during a press conference at National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Sunday (23/8).

Brigadier General Irhamni stressed that there is no justification whatsoever for burning forests and land. Moreover, he said, Indonesia is currently in the dry season.

He noted that once forests catch fire, they are difficult to extinguish. According to him, firefighting efforts are also hampered by the difficulty of finding water sources.

“Because once a fire has started, it will certainly be difficult to extinguish, given that water sources in the field are also hard to find,” he said.

Irhamni said his team is committed to enforcing the law against parties that have profited from the forest and land fires.

“Our emphasis as law enforcers, in this case Bareskrim, particularly the Directorate of Specific Crimes together with our colleagues in the regional police forces, where there are Special Criminal Investigation Directorates and Specific Crimes Sub-Directorates, is that we will be massively committed to enforcing the law against the perpetrators,” he said.

Previously, a total of 72 people had been named as suspects in connection with forest and land fires across nine regional police jurisdictions. The National Police then provided assistance to ensure the investigations and inquiries proceed properly.

Dozens of police reports are spread across the Riau, West Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Jambi, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Aceh and North Kalimantan regional police forces.