On Forest Fires, Environment Minister Jumhur Affirms Readiness to Impose Sanctions Up to Criminal Charges
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Minister of Environment/Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Moh Jumhur Hidayat, together with Riau Regional Police Chief Herry Heryawan, directly monitored conditions on the ground through a cross-sector aerial patrol in Riau Province to ensure rapid fire suppression and public protection on Saturday (22/8/2026).
The forest and land fire situation in Riau is currently relatively under control due to strong synergy between the central government, security forces, regional governments, and civil society. The success in controlling forest and land fires in Riau is also supported by the readiness of prevention infrastructure that has been built, such as canal blocks, water retention ponds, integrated patrols, and early warning systems. As evidence of readiness, field teams in Kampar Regency have successfully extinguished four hectares of burning land and are now focusing on cooling operations to prevent new hotspots from emerging.
“Parties proven responsible are obliged to carry out environmental restoration. Handling forest and land fires is not only about extinguishing flames, but ensuring accountability for the environmental damage caused,” Minister Jumhur stressed, as quoted on Monday (24/8/2026).
The Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency has ensured that legal instruments are applied objectively, proportionally, and measurably. The state does not hesitate to impose administrative sanctions, strict oversight, and even criminal proceedings against corporations proven negligent. This law enforcement is directed entirely towards ecological justice, whereby business operators are required to fully restore damaged ecosystems.
As a national-scale prevention measure due to extreme weather dynamics, the government is now directing strict supervision towards 335 concession-holding companies in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Business operators are required to maintain high discipline in managing peatland hydrology and preventing fires in their operational areas.
Jumhur also flew to Kalimantan for a follow-up working visit on Sunday (23/8/2026) to ensure all relevant parties collaborate to reduce disaster risk.
The government urges all elements of society to remain calm yet vigilant, and to abandon the practice of land clearing by burning. Controlling natural damage requires commitment from all parties.
“Forest and land fires are a shared responsibility. All parties must move to prevent fires from spreading and protect Indonesia’s environment,” Minister Jumhur concluded.