Indonesia names four foreign-invested firms as forest-fire suspects

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2 hours ago

Pontianak, W Kalimantan (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Police have named 20 companies as suspects in forest and land fire cases, including four foreign-invested firms.

“The cases reflect efforts to hold companies accountable for alleged links to forest and land fires,” said Commissioner General Asep Safrudin, chief of the Criminal Investigation Agency, at a news conference in West Kalimantan on Thursday.

Investigators are focusing on several indicators, including repeated fires, ignition points within concession areas, and inadequate fire-prevention equipment and infrastructure.

Burned areas exceeding 500 hectares are also among the factors considered in cases against companies.

The agency recorded 104 police reports involving suspected corporate links to fires that burned 29,168.78 hectares. It has named 20 companies as suspects.

West Kalimantan Police are handling 33 reports involving suspected corporate links to forest and land fires as part of the broader investigation in the province.

Separately, police are handling cases involving individuals. They recorded 287 police reports, named 245 people as suspects, and reported about 5,859.12 hectares of burned land in those cases.

The agency said investigations were continuing using scientific methods to strengthen evidence and identify those responsible.

Police have also recommended revoking permits for 23 companies suspected of links to forest and land fires. Relevant government agencies will decide whether to revoke the permits.