Muhammadiyah: Thoroughly Investigate Suspected Violations Behind Forest and Land Fires
Muhammadiyah has called on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate every suspected case of arson, negligence or other violations that have caused or worsened forest and land fires.
“Enforce the law firmly and without discrimination. Enforcement must reach individuals and corporations, those who ordered or profited from the acts, and anyone proven to have protected offenders or obstructed action,” Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir said in a statement on Wednesday (21 October).
Haedar said any suspected involvement by officials, security personnel or law enforcement officers must be examined independently and accountably.
“Power, position and financial clout must not serve as a shield or an obstacle to legal accountability,” he said.
Muhammadiyah expressed deep concern over forest and land fires, particularly those in Sumatra and Kalimantan. “As well as causing severe environmental damage, these fires have had an immediate and serious impact on communities, disrupting public health and education, destroying livelihoods and damaging Indonesia’s reputation internationally, especially among neighbouring countries,” Haedar said.
Haedar said that, for Muhammadiyah, environmental protection is part of Islamic teachings: an expression of humanity’s responsibility as stewards of the Earth and an obligation to future generations.
“God has entrusted humanity with building, but forbids causing destruction. Islam teaches people to protect life, safeguard future generations, preserve nature and prevent harm. The management of natural wealth must bring benefits and justice to all the people,” he said.
Haedar added that forest and land fires in Indonesia were complex, with causes and connections extending from upstream to downstream and involving natural conditions, human activity, natural-resource governance and other factors. “Weather conditions that increase vulnerability must not be used as an excuse to neglect prevention responsibilities and action,” he said.
Haedar called for serious investigations into burning practices, negligence in land management, weak oversight, suspected violations and failures to act. “The recurrence of these fires demands a comprehensive review of policies and their implementation, accompanied by clear accountability. Public safety and the sustainability of life must come before economic or political interests, or the gains of particular groups,” he said.
Muhammadiyah also called on the government to prioritise public safety and protection in its response to forest fires.
“While recognising the steps already taken, Muhammadiyah urges the central and regional governments to make full use of their capabilities—acting optimally, swiftly, on a large scale and with a high degree of coordination—to tackle the fires and protect communities from their effects as the top priority,” Haedar said.
The organisation also urged the government to improve governance and ensure sustained prevention.
“President Prabowo Subianto has a strong political commitment to regulate natural-resource management on a constitutional basis, particularly under Article 30 of the 1945 Constitution. We therefore hope the government will adopt strategic policies and make fundamental improvements to the management of forests, land and natural resources, with the greatest public interest and environmental sustainability as its guiding principles,” Haedar said.
Haedar also called on governors, regents and mayors, sub-district heads, and village heads in affected and fire-prone areas—particularly in Kalimantan and Sumatra—to ensure prevention, response and recovery policies and actions are carried out consistently and in coordination with the central government.
“Central and regional government policies must be aligned and must not contradict one another in tackling forest and land fires,” Haedar said.
Muhammadiyah, Haedar said, stressed that forest and land fires must not be normalised as an annual disaster that continues to burden the public.
“The commitment of the government, authorities and business community must be demonstrated through concrete action so that communities are protected, violations are punished, damage is repaired and fires are prevented from recurring,” he said.