Six Companies Sanctioned over Forest and Land Fires in West Kalimantan, One Licence Suspended
The Ministry of Forestry has sanctioned six companies in connection with forest and land fire cases in West Kalimantan. One of them has been subjected to a suspension of its business licence.
Director of Forestry Supervision, Administrative Sanctions and Civil Affairs at the Ministry of Forestry, Ardi Risman, stated that six holders of Forest Utilisation Business Permits were subjected to government enforcement sanctions.
The six companies are PT WEL, PT FI, PT MPK and PT WSP in West Kalimantan; PT NES in Central Kalimantan; and PT PSR in East Kalimantan.
Based on supervision results, the largest burned area was recorded at PT WEL with approximately 760.51 hectares, followed by PT MPK with 394.83 hectares, PT WSP with 107.7 hectares, PT FI with 95.87 hectares, PT PSR with 82.26 hectares, and PT NES with 70.38 hectares.
The total burned area across the six companies reached 1,511.55 hectares.
The imposition of sanctions is a follow-up to supervision of companies’ obligations to prevent and control forest and land fires in their respective working areas.
Four companies in West Kalimantan were previously inspected directly by the Kalimantan Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Agency on 10-14 August 2026. Meanwhile, the handling of PT NES and PT PSR was carried out by the Directorate of Forestry Supervision, Administrative Sanctions and Civil Affairs.
The inspection covered the readiness of fire control teams, firefighting equipment, water sources, watchtowers, canal blocks, and early detection and response systems.
In affected areas, companies may also be ordered to carry out vegetation restoration. Particularly on peatlands, restoration obligations include improving hydrological functions through water management arrangements, canal blocking, rewetting of peat, and monitoring of groundwater levels.
“Government enforcement sanctions impose consequences on companies to fulfil the obligations that have been set, ranging from improving fire control systems to restoring affected areas within a specified time limit,” said Ardi.
Specifically for PT MPK, he said, the Ministry of Forestry imposed a Business Licence Suspension sanction as well as Government Enforcement because the fires occurred extensively and repeatedly.
“The implementation of all these obligations will be monitored and evaluated. If they are not fulfilled, sanctions can be escalated in accordance with the provisions, including up to revocation of the business licence,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Forestry, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, said that business permits grant the right to manage forest areas, but they also carry the obligation to protect the area and prevent damage.
“We use administrative sanctions to compel improvement, restoration and compliance. However, when criminal elements are found, the criminal process will still proceed,” said Dwi Januanto.
According to him, the Ministry of Forestry will also investigate parties who deliberately burn forests or take advantage of fires and damage to areas based on valid evidence.
The Ministry of Forestry also reminded all permit holders to make forest and land fire prevention efforts part of routine business management, especially during fire-prone periods.
If other violations are found that meet criminal elements or there are losses for which accountability can be sought, criminal, administrative and civil instruments will be pursued in accordance with applicable legal provisions.