Forest and Land Fires Spread in Riau Islands, Police Investigate Causes

Tanjungpinang (ANTARA) - The Riau Islands Regional Police (Polda Kepri) are conducting investigations into the causes of forest and land fires (karhutla) that have recently become rampant in several areas, such as Batam, Tanjungpinang, Bintan, and Lingga.

The Head of Public Relations of Polda Kepri, Senior Commissioner Nona Pricillia Ohei, in Batam on Thursday, stated that the investigations aim to determine whether the karhutla were triggered by natural factors due to the dry season or involve elements of intent or negligence, either by the public or corporations.

“We have deployed criminal investigation units to delve into the causes of karhutla in each respective area,” said Nona.

She emphasised that the police will not tolerate parties proven to have intentionally set forest and land fires.

“If proven, the perpetrators will be prosecuted without compromise,” she said.

According to her, perpetrators of forest and land burning can be charged under Law No. 41 of 1999 on Forestry and Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, with penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rp15 billion.

Since 24 March 2026, she continued, police teams have been actively patrolling hotspot areas to prevent the fires from spreading.

In addition, Polda Kepri has established a joint task force for handling karhutla with several related agencies following the increase in fire incidents due to prolonged dry conditions over the past month.

“The teams are divided into several zones to facilitate coordination as well as handling in the event of karhutla,” she said.

She added that dry weather conditions accompanied by wind have the potential to expand the fires, so the public is urged not to clear land by burning.

Based on data from the Riau Islands BPBD until the end of March 2026, the distribution of karhutla occurred in all regencies/cities in the region, namely Tanjungpinang with 121 points, Bintan 351 points, Karimun 153 points, Anambas 3 points, Natuna 32 points, Batam 63 points, and Lingga 45 points.