Eight named suspects in Jambi forest and land fires throughout 2026
The Jambi Regional Police (Polda Jambi) have named eight people as suspects in seven forest and land fire (karhutla) cases handled throughout 2026.
“To date, from seven cases that have progressed to the investigation stage, there are eight suspects,” said Director of Special Criminal Investigation at Polda Jambi, Senior Commissioner Taufik Nurmandia, in Jambi on Monday.
Taufik said all suspects are private individuals and have been detained.
Of the eight suspects, one each is being handled by the Sarolangun Police and the Merangin Police, two by the Tebo Police, and four by the West Tanjung Jabung Police.
“Polda Jambi continues to enforce the law against perpetrators of forest and land burning. To date, we have investigated seven cases with eight suspects,” he said.
In addition to law enforcement, Polda Jambi continues to take preventive measures through education and public outreach, as well as strengthening cross-agency synergy in handling forest and land fires.
“Prevention efforts continue through appeals and public outreach. On the ground, Polda Jambi and the district police forces also continue to work in synergy with the Indonesian National Armed Forces, regional governments, the Regional Disaster Management Agency, and all relevant agencies in handling, extinguishing, and cooling down at fire locations,” said Taufik.
Polda Jambi is also intensifying patrols in vulnerable areas, monitoring hotspots, handling fire locations, and enforcing the law against perpetrators of forest and land burning.
Taufik urged the public not to clear land by burning, as it can damage the environment and disrupt public health, community activities, and the economy.
Based on data up to 23 August 2026, monitoring using the Terra-Aqua, SNPP, and NOAA-20 satellites recorded 3,632 hotspots in Jambi Province since 1 January 2026, while the total area of land affected by forest and land fires reached 658.29 hectares.
Several areas classified as prone to forest and land fires include Muaro Jambi Regency, Batanghari, East Tanjung Jabung, West Tanjung Jabung, Tebo, Bungo, and Merangin.