Law enforcement against forest and land fires does not stop at field perpetrators
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Forest and Land Fire Management Coordination Desk has stated that law enforcement regarding forest and land fires (Karhutla) does not only target field perpetrators, but also land managers and parties who utilise burnt land.
The Head of the Public Relations and Data Information Bureau of the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs, Brigadier General TNI Honi Havana, stated during a press conference on the progress of fire management in Jakarta on Tuesday, that law enforcement is being conducted in a multi-layered and coordinated manner.
“Regarding this law enforcement, it is multi-layered and coordinated. This means that law enforcement will not only stop at individuals or field actors, but will also be applied to the managers or users of the land,” he said.
Based on data from the Fire Management Desk presented by Honi, there are 20ad245 police reports related to forest and land fires, with 196 individuals having been named suspects and 96 corporations currently undergoing legal proceedings.
“At this time, according to data from the Fire Management Desk, there are 245 police reports, 96 corporations being processed, and 196 individuals who have been named suspects, the process of which will certainly continue in accordance with applicable regulations,” he said.
Honi stated that these steps are a follow-up to the directives from the President and the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs to ensure that law enforcement against forest fire violations is carried out firmly and swiftly.
According to him, investigations must be conducted thoroughly, including regarding recurring forest fire incidents, so that legal handling does not stop at claims of negligence if other elements of violation are discovered.
In addition to criminal proceedings, the government is implementing administrative law enforcement against business entities related to forest and land fires.
Honi noted that the Ministry of Environment has sealed 57 business entities, while the Ministry of Forestry has imposed administrative sanctions in the forestry sector against 26 business entities.
Of those 26 business entities, five have had their Forest Area Utilisation Business Licences (PBPH) revoked by the Ministry of Forestry.
According to Honi, this law enforcement is expected to provide a deterrent effect and prevent the recurrence of violations related to forest and land fires.
The government is also managing the impact of forest fires on the community through several measures in essential sectors.
In the education sector, online learning has been implemented, adjusting to the conditions of the affected areas. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has deployed healthcare workers and distributed masks to reduce the risk of health disturbances caused by haze.
Management in the transport sector and other community needs is also being carried out in an integrated manner according to the functions of each respective agency.
“The Fire Management Coordination Desk emphasises that the government is serious and optimal in the suppression, control, prevention, and risk mitigation of the impacts of forest and land fires,” said Honi.
He added that the law enforcement process will continue against field perpetrators as well as parties who manage or derive benefit from the burnt land.