Two Named Suspects in Forest Fires in Jambi

Jambi, VIVA – The Ministry of Forestry has named two residents of Tanjung Jabung Barat Regency, Jambi, with the initials MTN and AK, as suspects for the alleged criminal offences of forest burning and unlawful occupation of a forest area.

Hari Novianto, Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Office for the Sumatra Region, said the uncovering of this case forms part of law enforcement efforts against suspected forestry crimes occurring within forest areas.

“Every fire point must be traced to its cause, especially when there are indications of unlawful activity. Forest areas must be protected from illegal activities that can damage the environment and increase the risk of disasters,” Hari said in Jambi City on Monday, 7 September 2026.

He explained that the two suspects allegedly committed the offences within a forest area located in the working area of the Forest Utilisation Business Permit (PBPH) of PT Rimba Hutani Mas (PT RHM), Block III Taman Raja.

The incident took place in the Limited Production Forest (HPT) of Lubuk Bernai Village, Batang Asam Subdistrict, Tanjung Jabung Barat Regency, an area with a protective function. The incident occurred on Wednesday, 2 September 2026 at around 12.10 Western Indonesia Time.

The operation began when the Jambi Provincial Forest and Land Fire Control Task Force, together with PT Rimba Hutani Mas, carried out forest and land fire suppression activities in the Block III Taman Raja area.

During the operation, the team spotted plumes of smoke from another location not far from the previous fire point.

Based on that observation, the team then looked deeper into the incident based on facts and evidence obtained, including questioning PT RHM to obtain information regarding its PBPH responsibilities as well as the forest and land fire prevention and control efforts undertaken in its working area.

The findings were followed up by the security unit coordinator of Block II Taman Raja, together with security personnel and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel under Operational Control (BKO), by conducting a check at the location.

Upon arriving at the scene, the team secured two individuals suspected of involvement in the burning activity within the forest area.

Officers also secured a number of items allegedly linked to the incident, including a gas lighter, burnt wood offcuts, a machete, a saw, a solar-powered device, a tarpaulin, a motorcycle, rubber boots, nails, and a rattan basket.