Riau Police involve five experts in Bengkalis land fire investigation
Pekanbaru (ANTARA) - The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Riau Regional Police has involved five experts from various fields in the investigation of forest and land fires in Bandar Kaya Village, Siak Kecil District, Bengkalis Regency.
Director of Special Criminal Investigation of Riau Police, Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro Ridwan, said the location is within the Cultivation Rights Area of PT Teguh Karsa Wana Lestari which caught fire in early August 2026. The experts went directly with investigators from Sub-Directorate IV of Specific Crimes, led by Assistant Commissioner Teddy Ardian, on Friday.
“The handling of forest and land fire cases must be built on facts and scientific evidence. Therefore, we are involving five experts with different competencies so that the investigation can reveal the case comprehensively,” he said in Pekanbaru on Friday.
The five experts involved are Professor Bambang Hero Saharjo as a fire expert, Professor Basuki Wasis from Bogor Agricultural University as an environmental damage expert, Ir. Nelson Sitohang as an environmental expert, Herman Marbun as a plantation expert, and a mapping expert.
The examination was carried out thoroughly on the burned land. The team identified the initial point of the fire, fire patterns, land and vegetation conditions, and factors suspected to be the cause of the fire.
A study was also conducted to determine the level of environmental damage caused by the fire. The plantation expert examined the characteristics and condition of the land, while the mapping expert confirmed the extent and boundaries of the affected area.
Senior Commissioner Ade said the statements and study results from the experts will be used to strengthen the evidence in the case. Investigators will match the examination results with facts on the ground, including the relationship between the fire location, cause, land conditions and environmental impact.
“It is not just about finding the fire point or securing evidence. We want to ensure scientifically how the fire occurred, what caused it, how extensive the impact was, and how far the environmental damage extends. All expert examination results will be part of the evidence in the investigation process,” he stressed.