Antara News·Indonesia·Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 10:47 AM UTC

Indonesian police name 245 people, 20 firms as wildfire suspects

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R. Oxtora, Tegar Nurfitra

Pontianak (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Police have named 245 people and 20 companies as suspects in forest and land fire cases across the country, the force's Criminal Investigation Agency said.

"Police will not allow forest and land fires, whether deliberate or caused by negligence, to damage the environment and harm communities," agency chief Asep Safrudin said.

Speaking in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Thursday, he said police were using scientific crime investigation methods to gather evidence for legal proceedings in forest and land fire cases.

Police recorded 287 reports involving individuals and fires affecting 5,859.12 hectares, leading to 245 people being named as suspects, he said.

West Kalimantan accounted for the largest number of reports, with 68, followed by Riau with 59 and Central Kalimantan with 43, he added.

Separately, 104 reports involving corporate links to fires affecting 29,168.78 hectares have led to 20 companies being named as suspects.

Four of the companies have foreign investment, while the other 16 are domestic firms, Safrudin said.

Investigators have also recommended revoking permits for 23 companies allegedly linked to forest and land fire cases, he said.

Police Public Information Bureau chief Brig. Gen. Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said law enforcement, fire prevention and response required a collective effort.

"Alongside law enforcement, we are pursuing prevention through education and community engagement, with support from ministries, agencies, regional governments, the military and other relevant stakeholders," he said.

Police have deployed 1,000 personnel from various units to help contain fires, 403 officers to educate the public about fire prevention, and medical teams to treat residents and firefighters.

The force urged the public not to clear land by burning and called for stronger community participation in environmental protection.

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