Government prepares lawsuits against firms over fires
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Pekanbaru
The government is intensifying efforts to put out wildfires on Sumatra and Kalimantan and preparing lawsuits against farmers and plantation companies blamed for setting the land-clearing blazes, which have sent an acrid haze over at least three countries.
State Minister of the Environment Nabiel Makarim said on Thursday he had ordered his staff to investigate the rogue firms and farmers, so they could be brought to justice soon.
He made the statement after a meeting with President Megawati Soekarnoputri to discuss the thick haze that has covered parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan here, as well as Singapore and Malaysia.
"The President said the haze is worrying," Nabiel announced after the meeting.
Minister of Forestry M. Prakosa, who also met Megawati separately, said the government was maximizing efforts to extinguish the fires.
"We're using all the resources we have, but it is a very difficult job," he added without elaborating.
Separately on Thursday, officials from Nabiel's office reported five companies in Riau province to the National Police, and accused them of starting many of the fires.
"We have given evidence to the police, so they can investigate the case," said Sudarsono, an expert assistant to the environment minister.
He refused, however, to name the companies directly.
The five firms could be charged with Law No. 41/1999 that bans the use of fire to clear land. Violators could be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison, Sudarsono said.
National Police director for specific crimes Brig. Gen. Suharto said his office would first analyze all the evidence it received before taking any action.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Riau administration said it would file lawsuits against at least 10 forestry and plantation companies for up to Rp 2 trillion (US$222.2 million) for starting the fires.
It was not clear whether the five firms reported to the National Police were among the 10 being sued.
The lawsuit was agreed upon in a coordination meeting on Wednesday evening presided over by Deputy Riau Governor Wan Abubakar. Also in attendance were Riau Environment Impact Control Agency (Bappedal) head Khairul Zainal and senior prosecutors and police officers.
Khairul also declined to reveal the firms' names. "Don't make them public yet because it could spark chaotic violence among the people," he stated.
He did say that the 10 companies include several industrial forestry firms in the province.
The legal moves come as Malaysia and Singapore are urging Indonesia to crack down on all those setting the land-clearing fires that send thick smoke over parts of Southeast Asia, threatening health and fouling the skies of tourist resorts.
The haze dissipated somewhat in Pekanbaru on Thursday compared to previous days, during which time a number of flights were delayed or diverted due to poor visibility.
Residents were no longer wearing masks and there were no flight disruptions reported as visibility improved to 2000 meters.
However, satellite monitoring showed a radical increase in the number of hot spots across Riau to at least 427 from only 24 on Wednesday.