Land Arsonist Arrested in Bengkalis, Riau — Claims He Was Burning a Wasp Nest
Bengkalis Police have uncovered the cause of a fire that burned through three hectares of land in Teluk Lancar Village, Bantan District. One suspect has been arrested, claiming he had intended to burn a wasp nest.
The investigation began following reports of a hotspot detected on Jalan Lama, RT 002 RW 003, Dusun III Parit Panjang, Teluk Lancar Village, Bantan District, Bengkalis Regency, on Sunday (15 February) at approximately 7:00 pm local time. Police moved to the location to conduct fire suppression and field investigations.
“Upon arriving at the scene in Teluk Lancar Village, the team immediately coordinated with the local hamlet head, and confirmed that there was indeed a fire on land along Jalan Lama. The team then interrogated the hamlet head about how the fire originated,” explained Bengkalis Police Chief AKBP Fahrian Siregar in a statement on Thursday (19 February 2026).
An inspection by the Bengkalis Police Environmental Crime Unit found evidence of burning on land belonging to H Miwardi. Police indicated that the land had been deliberately set alight.
“Numerous piles of cleared vegetation and staking marks for planting oil palm seedlings were found. The team then brought witnesses with knowledge of the fire to Bengkalis Police headquarters for further investigation,” he explained.
Through the course of the investigation, a number of facts emerged. Corroborated by witness statements, police ultimately identified the perpetrator of the land burning.
“The investigation, based on field evidence and witness statements, established that the suspect AH alias Dayat had been active on the land prior to the fire breaking out,” he said.
Claimed He Was Destroying a Wasp Nest
The suspect was subsequently interrogated and admitted to piling up cleared vegetation and brush on Thursday (12 February). He claimed he had started the fire to destroy a wasp nest.
“His excuse was that he made the fire to kill off a wasp nest,” the police chief added.
However, the fire then grew out of control and burned across land belonging to HM, spreading to cover three hectares.
“Investigators have conducted a case review and designated AH alias Dayat as a suspect in the alleged criminal offence of land burning,” he said.
In the course of the investigation, police seized a machete and one burned oil palm seedling stump. For his actions, the suspect has been charged under Article 108 in conjunction with Article 69 paragraph (1) letter h of Law Number 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, and/or Article 108 in conjunction with Article 56 paragraph (1) of Law Number 39 of 2014 on Plantations.