Prabowo Questions Five Palm Oil Companies Sanctioned for Forest Fires: They Cannot Act Arbitrarily!

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised law enforcement in handling forest and land fires (karhutla) in Indonesia. Prabowo warned that companies which fail to protect forests and land will have their permits revoked.

Prabowo’s warning was delivered while chairing a limited cabinet meeting on karhutla handling at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Monday (24/8/2026). Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan initially reported that five companies in Riau had already been subject to action over karhutla.

“There are five companies that have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Environment, Sir,” said Herry.

Prabowo then delved deeper into Herry’s presentation by requesting the names of the companies. Herry subsequently provided the names of the corporations.

“I want the names of those corporations,” Prabowo requested.

“They are here,” Herry replied.

Prabowo then instructed the police to re-investigate the companies involved in karhutla. He also asked about the responsibility of the five companies.

“Have those five companies now taken corrective action?” Prabowo asked.

“They have, Sir. They have complied, but until now the five companies remain in status quo — five palm oil companies. Still status quo, Sir,” Herry answered.

Prabowo then asked whether the permits of the five palm oil companies had been revoked, to which Herry replied not yet. Prabowo took the matter of the companies’ permits back to Jakarta.

“The point is, any company that does not want to participate in protecting [the environment], we will revoke [its permit],” Prabowo asserted, with Herry responding that he was ready.

“Because this is the source of the people’s livelihood, and also the source of the company’s livelihood. They cannot act arbitrarily and fail to prevent [fires]. Yes, prevention is key,” Prabowo added.