Riau Police Uncover 37 Forest and Land Fire Cases, 40 Named as Suspects
Riau Regional Police have uncovered forest and land fire cases across several districts in Riau Province, securing 40 suspects in the process. “As of this morning, there are 37 cases during the 2026 period being handled by Riau Police with 40 suspects and a total burned area of 904 hectares,” said Director of Special Criminal Investigation at Riau Police, Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro Ridwan, during a press conference at Riau Police Headquarters in Pekanbaru on Friday (28/8/2026).
Most recently, Rokan Hilir Police uncovered a forest and land fire case in Sinaboi District, Rokan Hilir Regency on 6 August 2026. In that case, police named one suspect with the initials MA (28). “Then most recently, in Rimbo Panjang Village in Kampar Regency, Pelalawan Police uncovered this forest and land fire crime with suspect MN (54), a resident of Kemang Indah Village, Tambang District, Kampar Regency,” he said.
In addition, the Criminal Investigation Unit of Pelalawan Police also secured suspect EP (40) in a forest and land fire case on the RAPP Corridor Road KM 13, Pangkalan Kerinci, Pelalawan Regency.
Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro explained that of the 37 cases, Pekanbaru City Police handled 2 cases with 2 suspects. Pelalawan Police uncovered the most forest and land fire cases during 2026, with a total of 8 suspects from 7 cases. Dumai Police handled 1 case with 1 suspect, while Indragiri Hilir Police arrested 7 suspects from 7 cases.
Rokan Hilir Police are currently handling 3 forest and land fire cases with three suspects. Siak Police handled 1 suspect from 1 police report, while Bengkalis Police handled 7 cases with 8 suspects. Indragiri Hulu Police handled 3 forest and land fire cases with 3 suspects, Kepulauan Meranti Police processed 1 suspect from 1 police report, and Kampar Police handled 4 cases with 3 suspects.
“And the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate itself is handling one case in Bengkalis with two suspects, namely forest and land fires in the PT TKWL concession area that were encroached upon by two residents,” he said.
Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro revealed that most of the cases handled showed the forest and land fires were deliberate. The perpetrators intentionally set fires to clear land for oil palm plantations. “Namely to clear land by burning, with the aim of establishing oil palm plantations or other horticulture,” he said.
Beyond deliberate acts, police found that some fires occurred due to negligence in burning rubbish. Flames initially used to burn rubbish became uncontrollable and spread to surrounding land. “Therefore, the investigation does not stop merely at who was at the location when the fire occurred. We construct each case thoroughly to determine how the fire started, what the motive was, who is responsible, and whether there are other parties connected to the incident,” Ade said.
He stressed that case handling uses a scientific criminal investigation approach, basing the inquiry and investigation process on facts and evidence. Investigators also construct the element of unlawful conduct, or actus reus, as well as the element of fault and criminal liability, or mens rea. This examination applies to possible liability by individuals or corporations in accordance with statutory provisions.
Meanwhile, Head of Public Relations at Riau Police, Senior Commissioner Akmadi, said law enforcement is one part of Riau Police’s integrated strategy in handling forest and land fires. Repressive measures run alongside prevention, patrols, early detection, 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 public and the environment from the impact of forest and land fires,” Akmadi said.
Riau Police also reminded the public and business operators not to clear land by burning. Besides damaging the environment, fires can affect public health and cause economic and social losses. The public was also urged not to carelessly burn rubbish, especially during hot and dry weather conditions when winds could cause fires to spread quickly.
“There is no compromise for actions that deliberately or through negligence cause forest and land fires. Anyone proven to have committed a criminal offence will be processed firmly, professionally, transparently and fairly,” Akmadi stressed.
According to Akmadi, handling forest and land fires cannot rely solely on authorities. Riau Police invited the public, business operators and all stakeholders to increase awareness and take an active role in preventing forest and land fires. “Our target is not merely to extinguish fires once they have occurred. What is far more important is preventing fires from starting. Because protecting Riau from forest and land fires is a shared responsibility,” he concluded.