Exposed: How Large Companies Allegedly Use Locals to Burn Land
Forest and land fires (karhutla) are not only occurring in several locations in Kalimantan but have also begun to emerge in a number of areas on the island of Sumatra. Police suspect the involvement of several companies in land clearing that has led to fires.
Riau Police Chief Herry Heryawan revealed allegations that companies are exploiting local communities or farmers to clear land in forest areas. Herry made the statement during a Coordination Meeting on Forest and Land Fire Handling in Pekanbaru with President Prabowo Subianto.
“This is a commonly used modus operandi by large companies, using small farmers or local residents, pretending to fish there and then carrying out burning,” Herry said in front of Prabowo during the virtually broadcast meeting.
He noted that there have been 94 cases or police reports concerning forest and land fires since 2025, with 106 people named as suspects. For 2026, from January until now, there have been at least 33 police reports and 36 suspects, with a total burned area of 806.57 hectares.
Herry believes that the forest and land fires occurring in Riau are the result of human actions, whether intentional or unintentional. “So everything currently causing forest and land fires is from humans, both deliberate and accidental,” Herry stated.
Meanwhile, Prabowo asked Herry whether Riau Police currently have strong evidence that companies have interfered in the forest and land fires in Riau.
“Excuse me, Police Chief, is there any evidence or indication pointing towards corporations giving orders?” Prabowo asked.
Herry said that so far there is none. However, his office suspects that several people who entered the forest under the pretext of fishing also contributed to triggering the fires, because fires broke out immediately after these individuals entered. His office also noted that these people do not have any cultivated gardens.
“So far there is none, Sir. But some of the suspects from 2025, after we conducted investigations, there are those who do not have gardens there. There are two or three people. But they were there, even though their reason was only to fish, yet there is no fishing location there,” Herry said.
Upon hearing this, Prabowo requested that the suspicious suspects be brought directly to Jakarta for further investigation at the central government level. He also asked the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) to participate in the examination.
“Please bring them to Jakarta, yes. Please send them to Jakarta, National Police Chief. We will investigate further here,” Prabowo ordered.
In addition, Herry also revealed that last year five corporations had already faced legal enforcement by the Ministry of Environment due to forest and land fire issues.
“Last year there were five corporations that had legal enforcement carried out by the Ministry of Environment, Sir. Because they did not fulfil their obligations, such as building observation towers,” Herry said.
“Or the obligation to have a rapid reaction team in case a fire spot emerges at their location,” he continued.
Prabowo immediately requested the names of the five companies for further investigation. He asked all law enforcement agencies to immediately find more parties involved to be prosecuted. “Find more violators this year,” he stressed.
The President also emphasised that the permits of all companies unwilling to protect the environment will be revoked.
“The point is, any company that does not want to participate in protecting the environment, we will revoke its permit. Because this is the source of life for the people, and the source of life for the company as well. They cannot act arbitrarily and fail to prevent fires. Prevention is key,” Prabowo concluded.