Indonesian National Police prosecute 21 forest and land fire suspects in 2026; Riau Regional Police account for the most

The Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Kabareskrim) General Inspector Syahardiantono praised the Riau Regional Police for their enforcement against perpetrators of forest and land fires (karhutla). This year, the Riau Police have arrested 13 suspects for land burning. ‘The Riau Police are very good; this year 13 suspects, if I’m not mistaken. We hope the figure does not increase, but if there are any, we will act decisively against individuals or corporations,’ said General Inspector Syahardiantono on Thursday (5 March 2026).

He spoke after the 2026 National Forest Fire Prevention Readiness Parade at Lanud Roesmin Nurjadin, Pekanbaru, Riau, on Thursday. The parade was led by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Djamardi Chaniago, accompanied by Minister of Environment and Forestry Raja Juli Antoni and the Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto.

Also present were Riau Acting Governor SF Hariyanto, Riau Police Chief Inspector General Pol Herry Heryawan, Danrem 031/Wira Bima Brigadier General TNI Jarot Suprihanto, along with Basarnas, BMKG, Damkar, the Community Care for Fire (MPA) and Forkopimda members.

As the dry season of 2026 sets in, Polri records 20 police reports related to forest fires involving a total of 21 suspects. ‘The majority are in the Riau Police and West Kalimantan (Kalbar),’ he said.

Polri emphasises that negligence or accidental factors will not automatically exempt perpetrators from legal accountability. Investigators will examine mens rea (the intent) behind each ignition point. ‘There is no longer any excuse that it was unintentional in the forest. We will seek mens rea. If proven to be deliberate, whether by individuals or corporations, we will take firm action because the law is clear,’ the police stated.

He reminded the public not to burn forests. He stressed that forest burning for any reason will be acted on in accordance with the applicable law. ‘That is why we are asking private individuals or corporations not to burn forests. It will definitely be acted upon; the law is clear,’ he stressed.

‘Moreover, as the Menko has just stated, we will collaborate on prevention and enforcement of forest burning,’ he added.