Prabowo’s directive signals stronger wildfire law enforcement: Expert

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto has demonstrated strong political resolve to prevent wildfires through his directive to Indonesian National Police (Polri) Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Padjadjaran University legal expert Romli Atmasasmita said.

“This [directive] is not merely rhetorical; it sends a strong signal about the government’s future policy direction in protecting Indonesia’s forests and ecosystems,” Romli said in a statement received here on Monday.

Romli was referring to Prabowo’s instruction to the police chief to take all necessary measures against corporations suspected of committing offenses linked to wildfires in several regions.

He argued that the president’s directive assures the public that law enforcement efforts against wildfire-related crimes will proceed without interruption.

The directive also reflects Prabowo’s confidence in Polri’s ability to uncover facts surrounding the alleged involvement of corporations in wildfire cases, he added.

He further stressed that strong political will is essential to ensuring that responses to wildfire offenses go beyond administrative sanctions, emphasizing the need to pursue potential criminal charges where warranted.

Consistent law enforcement is crucial to strengthening protection for forests and other natural ecosystems, the academic concluded.

At a meeting with senior officials in Jakarta on Sept. 16, President Prabowo urged General Listyo to mobilize police resources to identify criminal elements in wildfire cases, including those involving corporations in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

“Police chief, I want you to exert all-out efforts, mobilizing all agencies under your command to thoroughly investigate such cases so that we can take action accordingly,” he said, stressing zero tolerance for wildfire offenses.

Citing police reports, the head of state noted that 95 companies were under investigation on suspicion of causing wildfires in several regions.

He affirmed that the revocation of business permits should be accompanied by criminal prosecution if investigations uncover evidence of violations.