Expert evaluates Prabowo's directive to strengthen law enforcement against forest fires

This is not merely rhetoric, but a strong signal regarding the direction of future government policy concerning the protection of Indonesia’s forests and ecosystems.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Universitas Padjadjaran legal expert Romli Atmasasmita believes that President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to the Chief of the National Police strengthens political support for the law enforcement of forest and land fires.

“This is not merely rhetoric, but a strongly signalled direction for future government policy in terms of protecting Indonesia’s forests and ecosystems,” Romli stated in a briefing received in Jakarta on Monday.

Romli noted that law enforcement requires strong political will from the government so that authorities can execute the legal process optimally. According to him, without clear political will, law enforcement has the potential to be sub-optimal. In practice, the relationship between law and politics mutually influences the law enforcement process.

He also assessed that the directive reflects the President’s confidence in the National Police’s performance in identifying suspected corporate involvement in forest and land fire cases.

Previously, President Prabowo requested the National Police Chief to deploy all ranks to investigate suspected criminal elements in forest and land fire cases, including those involving corporations in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

“I ask the National Police Chief to go all out. I ask you to deploy the agencies under your command. Investigate as deeply as possible and we will take action. We can no longer tolerate this,” Prabowo said during a limited meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday.

The President also emphasised that the revocation of business licences is not solely the final step. If verification results show violations, criminal elements must still be investigated.

Romli stated that such political support is crucial to ensure that law enforcement does not stop at administrative sanctions, but can also trace suspected criminal acts based on evidence obtained through the investigation process. He believes that consistent law enforcement is necessary to strengthen the protection of forests and ecosystems while providing certainty in the handling of forest fire cases.