Observer: Arrest of forest fire perpetrators shows state protecting ecosystem
Senior political and legal observer Boni Harges has assessed that the arrest of forest and land fire (karhutla) perpetrators sends a strong signal that the state is present and serious about protecting Kalimantan’s natural wealth from exploitation and destruction that threatens the sustainability of the ecosystem.
“In a broader context, this case confirms that environmental issues, particularly forest fires, are certainly not merely an ecological matter, but a real test of the capacity and integrity of law enforcement in Indonesia,” Boni said in a statement received in Jakarta on Monday.
With the National Police’s success this time, he expressed hope that it would become a positive precedent encouraging more consistent, systematic and uncompromising enforcement against all forms of environmental crime in the future.
He said the case serves as an important reminder that environmental crime is a serious offence requiring a legal response commensurate with the impact it has on nature and Indonesian society.
Nevertheless, according to Boni, the action taken by the National Police this time is not merely a reactive response, but rather a reflection of institutional commitment aligned with the key principles proclaimed by the National Police leadership.
He assessed that the National Police’s success in handling the case is a concrete example of the implementation of the PRESISI principle, which emphasises a data-driven approach, accountability and services that favour the interests of the wider public.
“This step is proof that the institutional reform of the National Police is proceeding on the right track,” he said.
He added that the National Police’s success in handling forest fire cases in Kalimantan not only has a law enforcement dimension, but also carries significant political implications.
He said the firm action represents a tangible ‘credit point’ for the National Police institution in building and maintaining positive public perception of overall police performance.
Thus, Boni argued that the National Police’s swift and measured action in tackling environmental crime strengthens the institution’s legitimacy in the eyes of the wider public, by increasing public trust, which has long been the main foundation of effective law enforcement.
He said the success also helps strengthen positive perceptions of the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
“This shows that the state apparatus under the current leadership is capable of acting firmly in dealing with large-scale environmental crime,” Boni said.
The Directorate of Specific Crimes (Tipidter) of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) has named 72 people as suspects in alleged forest and land fire cases handled by nine regional police forces (polda).
Director of Tipidter Bareskrim Polri Brigadier General Mohammad Irhamni said the naming of suspects was the result of handling 89 police reports spread across nine polda.
“These nine polda have carried out investigation and inquiry processes with approximately 72 individual suspects having been named,” Irhamni said during a press conference in Jakarta on Sunday (23/8).
He explained that most of the cases handled began with hotspot monitoring, which was then verified by officers in the field.