Jakarta, MINA – Indonesian police have investigated 371 cases of forest and land fires across the country, with nearly 100 cases involving corporations, highlighting the scale of legal enforcement efforts against fires that threaten the environment.
The Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police recorded the cases as of October 13, 2026. Of the total, 273 involved individuals, while 98 were linked to corporations, according to data reported by Republika on Thursday.
Comr. Pipit Subiyanto, head of Subdirectorate III at Bareskrim’s Directorate of Certain Crimes, said investigations into individual suspects had been conducted by 12 regional police departments. The cases involved 5,157.89 hectares of burned land, and 223 people had been named suspects.
West Kalimantan recorded the highest number of cases involving individuals, with 68 investigations, followed by Riau with 61 and South Sumatra with 38. Central Kalimantan recorded 34 cases, East Kalimantan 30, Jambi 17 and South Kalimantan 15.
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North Kalimantan and North Sumatra each recorded three cases, while Aceh reported two. South Sulawesi and North Maluku each recorded one case.
Corporate-related investigations covered 10 regional police jurisdictions, with a reported burned area of 25,600.26 hectares. Police had named nine people as suspects in these cases.
West Kalimantan accounted for the largest number of corporate-related investigations, with 33 cases. South Sumatra recorded 17, Central Kalimantan 14, South Kalimantan 11, East Kalimantan seven and Riau six.
North Kalimantan and Lampung each recorded three cases, while Jambi reported two and Bangka Belitung one. Bareskrim’s Directorate of Certain Crimes also handled one case.
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Pipit said seven of the nine suspects in corporate-related cases were identified in West Kalimantan, while Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan each recorded one suspect.
The figures come amid growing scrutiny of corporate involvement in forest and land fires. Indonesian environmental organization Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (Walhi) has also examined companies suspected of being connected to fires, including businesses affiliated with major Malaysian and Singaporean corporate groups.
The investigations underscore the importance of identifying those responsible for forest and land fires, enforcing environmental laws and preventing further damage to forests and surrounding communities.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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