Police Receive 189 Reports on Forest and Land Fires in Indonesia, 89 Named as Suspects

The Indonesian National Police (Polri) has disclosed that its handling of forest and land fire (karhutla) cases is continuing. To date, 189 police reports have been recorded, with 89 people named as suspects. “Colleagues in the ranks and Bareskrim, particularly Tipidter, have been examining several fire scenes, so that as of now there are 189 police reports. This means an increase from yesterday,” said Brigadier General Mohammad Irhamni, Director of Certain Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Friday (28/8/2026).

Polri is continuing intensive and proactive efforts to find parties suspected of burning land or forest areas. “We are intensively and proactively searching for the perpetrators of the burning. There are approximately 89 suspects, an increase from yesterday’s figure,” he said.

Irhamni said the increase in case handling is in line with assistance activities carried out by regional police together with the Directorate of Certain Crimes at Bareskrim. In addition to enforcement, Polri is taking preventive measures to anticipate the spread of forest and land fires.

Around 450 personnel from Polri educational institutions have been deployed to provide guidance and outreach to the public. The activities aim to raise public understanding of the dangers of land burning, particularly amid a prolonged dry season said to be influenced by the El Niño phenomenon.

“Proactively, we are also providing assistance related to prevention. Yesterday, around 450 personnel from Polri educational institutions were sent to conduct outreach, socialisation, and pre-emptive and preventive activities,” he explained.

Irhamni noted that the 89 suspects handled so far are individuals. However, investigators are still examining the possibility of corporate involvement in these cases. “For now they are still individuals, but we are trying to search for and trace evidence of whether there were orders or transactions involving corporations,” he added.

He assured that corporations will also face action if investigators find sufficient evidence of their involvement in land burning activities. “Of course, we want to hold anyone accountable based on evidence. Do not worry; if there is any evidence, however small, that strengthens the case that it was indeed an order from a corporation, we will pursue and take action,” Irhamni stressed.