Berau forest fire suspect faces 12 years in prison, Rp10 billion fine
Investigators from the Berau Police in East Kalimantan have named a man with the initials BS as a suspect in a forest and land fire case in Tanjung Batu, Derawan Islands District, Berau Regency.
The suspect now faces a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and a fine of up to Rp10 billion for his actions.
Berau Police Chief AKBP Ridho Tri Putranto explained in Tanjung Redeb on Saturday that the penalties are based on criminal provisions in the Environmental Protection and Management Law, the Job Creation Law for the plantation and forestry sectors, and Article 305 of the Criminal Code.
“BS was named a suspect after the investigation team confirmed that the fire at the location was not caused by natural factors but involved an element of intent,” Ridho said.
The case came to light after the Forest and Land Fire Task Force detected a hotspot in the Tanjung Batu area.
The finding was followed up by a joint team from Berau Police and the Berau Production Forest Management Unit.
Based on examination results, the suspect admitted to burning the land on the orders of the landowner to prepare an area for opening an oil palm plantation.
BS is known to have set fires at five different points on Saturday, 8 August. Hot weather conditions, dry vegetation and strong winds caused the flames to spread rapidly, becoming uncontrollable and spreading into the concession area of a nearby forest product management company.
The fire scorched around 12 hectares of land with estimated material losses reaching Rp1.2 billion.
The firefighting effort involved combined personnel from the police, the Regional Disaster Management Agency, the Fire Department, Manggala Agni, volunteers and local residents.
According to Ridho, an official report from the affected company also strengthened the investigation process.
Witness examinations and crime scene processing confirmed that the initial source of the fire came purely from burning activity carried out by the suspect.
He stressed that clearing land by burning is completely unjustified, especially during dry weather conditions that are highly prone to triggering widespread fire spread.
Berau Police confirmed they will take firm action against any similar practices that harm the public and the environment.
As a precautionary measure, Berau Police are now increasing readiness by deploying personnel in several forest fire-prone areas, including Kampung Kasai, Tanjung Batu, Teluk Bayur, Sambaliung and Kelay.
Rapid response teams are on standby 24 hours a day to respond to any detected hotspots.
Ridho also urged the public to immediately report to the authorities if they see any land burning activity or the appearance of even the smallest hotspot in their area.
He emphasised that forest and land fire prevention requires strong synergy between law enforcement, government, businesses and all levels of society.