Riau Police Name 40 Suspects in Forest and Land Fire Cases
The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) of Riau Regional Police is handling 37 cases and has named 40 suspects in connection with forest and land fires (karhutla) up to the end of August 2026. Director of Special Criminal Investigation at Riau Police, Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro Ridwan, said the total affected area across all cases reached 904 hectares.
Case handling is spread across several regions. Pelalawan Police are handling 7 cases with 8 suspects, Bengkalis Police 7 cases with 8 suspects, Indragiri Hilir Police 7 cases with 7 suspects, Kampar Police 4 cases with 4 suspects, Rokan Hilir Police 3 cases with 3 suspects, and Indragiri Hulu Police 3 cases with 3 suspects.
Pekanbaru City Police are handling 2 cases with 2 suspects. Dumai Police, Siak Police and Meranti Islands Police are each handling one case with one suspect. Meanwhile, the Riau Police Special Criminal Investigation Directorate is handling one case with two suspects.
“Law enforcement continues. We investigate every fire incident to determine the source of the fire, the cause of the fire and the parties who must be held accountable based on the facts and evidence found,” said Ade on Friday (28/8/2026).
Ade revealed that there are three new cases being handled by Riau Police, in Rokan Hilir, Pelalawan and Kampar regencies. In Rokan Hilir, police named MA, 28, as a suspect in a land fire case on Jalan Sepakat, Dusun II, Kepenghuluan Raja Bejamu, Sinaboi District. The incident occurred on 6 August 2026.
In Pelalawan, EPT, 40, was named a suspect in connection with a land fire on Jalan Koridor RAPP KM 13, Pangkalan Kerinci Barat, on 23 August 2026.
In Kampar, police named NR, 54, as a suspect in a land fire case in Rimbo Panjang Village, Tambang District, which occurred on 10 August 2026.
According to Ade, the investigation results show several patterns of fire causes. Most cases indicate deliberate land burning for land clearing, particularly for the development or opening of oil palm plantations.
In addition to intentional acts, police also found fires caused by negligence when burning rubbish. Fires initially used to burn rubbish became uncontrolled and spread to surrounding land.
“Therefore, the investigation does not stop only at who was at the location when the fire occurred. We construct each case thoroughly to ensure how the fire started, what the motive was, who is responsible, and whether there are other parties connected to the incident,” said Ade.
He stressed that case handling uses a scientific criminal investigation approach, basing the investigation process on facts and evidence.
Investigators also construct the elements of unlawful acts or actus reus as well as elements of fault and criminal liability or mens rea.
This examination applies to possible liability by individuals or corporations in accordance with statutory provisions.
Meanwhile, Riau Police Head of Public Relations, Senior Commissioner Akmadi, said law enforcement is one part of Riau Police’s integrated strategy in handling forest and land fires.
Repressive measures run in parallel with prevention, patrols, early detection as well as firefighting efforts and handling the impact of fires.
“In principle, prevention remains the priority. But when a criminal offence is found, the legal process must proceed. This is important to provide a deterrent effect while protecting the community and the environment from the impact of forest and land fires,” said Akmadi.
Akmadi reminded the public and business actors not to clear land by burning. Besides damaging the environment, fires can affect public health and cause economic and social losses.
The public is also asked not to carelessly burn rubbish, especially when hot and dry weather conditions and wind could cause fires to spread quickly.
“There is no compromise for actions that intentionally or negligently cause forest and land fires. Anyone proven to have committed a criminal offence will be processed firmly, professionally, transparently and fairly,” Akmadi stressed.